The Nambucca Roosters will travel to Grafton on Saturday to take on last year’s runners up, Grafton Ghosts across three grades, while there will be a full ticket at Allan Gillett Oval on Sunday when the Macksville Sea Eagles host the Bellingen Magpies in four grades.

Roosters first grade coach Matt Field said after a long pre-season, the club was ready to get the season underway.

“We’re ready as we’re ever going to be,” he said.

“We’ve got a big task ahead of us to take on Grafton at home first round, but it will be good to get out on the field and gauge where we are at.

“I’m confident – things are looking positive and the boys are keen.”

Reserve grade coach Kade Welsh and 18s coach Darren Campbell said their charges have been working hard all pre-season and are ready for the season’s challenges.

The 18s kick off at 2pm with the older grades to follow. Nambucca’s league tag team will have their first hit-out on April 1 against Orara.

Sea Eagles first grade coach Garry Jarrett has his charges well primed for this encounter and after three months of training the players are keen to get on the field to play.

Reserve grade and under 18s coaches John Thaiday and Darren Hoffman have had some trouble getting the numbers together for their teams, but said players are keen to get into the action and show their wares this weekend.

The introduction of the women’s league tag competition has added an extra element to the Group 2 competition, and both Nambucca coach Caryl Jarrett and Macksville coach Kade Spear have expressed confidence the girls are well prepared for their adventure.

With the addition of the league tag game, game day will begin an hour earlier than in previous seasons, with the women kicking off at 11 and the other grades to follow.

Both Saturday and Sunday promise to be jam-packed with league entertainment for all supporters.