Central Districts tipped to defend premiership as SA Rugby League division one season kicks off

BACK-to-back premier Central Districts is expected to be the team to beat when SA Rugby League’s division one season kicks off this weekend.

BACK-to-back premier Central Districts is expected to be the team to beat when SA Rugby League’s division one season kicks off this weekend.

The Roosters went through last season undefeated before beating Northern District in the grand final.

But experienced front rower Ashraf Mohammad, 29, predicted a tough campaign ahead as the Elizabeth Downs-based club dealt with a series of player departures and coaching changes.

New mentor Reece Leyshon has already left the club for health reasons and seven of last year’s flag-winning side have moved on.

“We’ve entered a rebuilding phase again despite having won the past two grand finals,” Mohammad said.

“It’s set us back a little bit but we’re not going to take the foot off the pedal and we’ll be pushing hard to win that premiership.”

Central opens its season away to Eels at Hanson Reserve on Sunday, March 30.

Mohammad said the speed of diminutive recruit Tom Maloney and the defensive strength of fellow new arrival Mansil Rameka would be crucial in getting off to a winning start.

“Eels have got a lot of experience and a lot of young players coming through, so their fitness is great,” he said.

“But every team will be hungry for the premiership whether they’ve won it last year or not.”

Eels will be looking to make an impact in the top flight after winning the division two flag last season.

The Dry Creek club has added brothers Junior and Benji Fono to its ranks.

Henley Raiders, which lost last year’s preliminary final, is also tipped to be among the frontrunners after signing Benny Towell and Ben Marsten from Central, as well as Arni Kane from Cougars.

A new addition to the competition will be recently-formed Woodville, which has risen from the ashes of Port Adelaide.

Captain Nathan Franklin, who was instrumental in establishing the Panthers, hoped the club would boost rugby league in the western suburbs.

“It’s an exciting time for us,” the 25-year-old second rower said.

“We want to be a family-based club, but we also want to show on the field that we can be a dominant team.

“Just because we’re the new guys doesn’t mean we’re going to be a walkover.”

South Adelaide will hope to build on last year’s fifth-placed finish, while Spencer Gulf Titans has added five new players as it looks for improvement.

The season will feature 15 minor rounds plus finals.

The competition splits into two divisions after round seven.