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Let the good times roll - the 2010 OAFL season is upon us and boy of boy does Rnd 1 shape up to be a belter! Welcome to Bluesafc.com's Rnd 1 Preview.

Division 2 Games: (apparently the OAFL has decided Div 2 sides will be referred to as Reserves now)

Blues Reserves V Hawks Reserves: These two clubs Senior sides have over the past few years built up quite a serious rivalry - and the Div 2 sides will be no different. Both clubs are extremely strong off the field and on the field have been competitive with both clubs featuring in the finals for the past couple of seasons. The Blues have recruited heavily in the off season and their depth is at an all time high. Due to these high numbers these players will need to prove their worth before making it into the big show. A great game to kick off a hug day of footy at Humber Nth. 

Prediction: Blues by 2 goals.

Roos Reserves V Quebec Saints: The Quebec Saints ended the Blues 2009 season before rolling on to claim the 1st Mike Pyke Trophy for the Div 2 comp - and will once again be the heavy favourites to take the title in 2010. Former Blues player Luke Anderson will have his troupes up and running to ensure they shake off any lingering Premiership hangover. While the Roos will be keen to improve on their Div 2 performances - and after their first foray into Reserves footy last season they loom to be the big improvers in 2010.

Prediction: Saints to smash em.

Division 1 Games:

Central Blues V Broadview Hawks: It's been 224 days since the Etobicoke Kangaroos ended the Blues 2009 season in their preliminary final. 224 days of quiet contemplation of what could have been. This Saturday comes the time for words to be put into action. The same story applies for the Hawks, who lost to eventual 2009 Premiers, the Toronto Eagles in their prelim final. The OAFL forum has been awash with members writing off the Hawks as the chokers of the OAFl. [Insert compliments for opposition side]Rest assured the Hawks will be a powerhouse this season. A new coach and a few new faces will see the Hawks once again push for a grand final berth. [Do not forget this is the Blues website] Meanwhile, the Blues will be keen to introduce some of their own new faces as well as the return of their veteran stars. The bulk of the team has had a year to familiarise themselves with coach Jaye Macumber in regards to his coaching style and game plan. Many in the league will be interested to see how this game pans out as both sides are expected to feature in the finals once again.

Prediction: Of course we'll be tipping the Blues to win this one. 4 goals the margin.

Toronto Dingos V Hamilton Wildcats: Both these sides made it into the 2010 finals before crashing out in the first round. The Dingos lost to dowtown arch rivals Blues in an upset result, while the Wildcats retained a little dignity going down by 3 points to the more experienced Hawks. These two sides are expected to once again feature in the top half of the ladder. Again both clubs have claimed to recruited well in the off season. The Wildcats especially successful, poaching players from the Roos and Blues camp. This game could be a high scoring affair as both sides have been known to post big scores. 

Prediction: Wildcats to win by 1 goal.

Toronto Eagles V Etobicoke Kangaroos: The Grand Final rematch, this game could not get any bigger. The Roos would have done some serious soul searching after going the full 2009 seaso undefeated oinly to stumble on the final hurdle to go down with very little fight. On the other hand, the Eagles continue to show that they don't have their proud history as being the most successful club in the OAFL for nothing. The Roos have lost some of the gun Aussies from 2009 - but as always the Roos have filled those holes. The introduction of a new coach may put a new spin on things and it will be interesting to see how the 2010 Roos look and play like. They will need to fill the holes left behind by Emile, Chipper and 2009 Roos BnF - Batesy. Meanwhile the Eagles also lost their 09 Best & Fairest in Troy Marsh, but have always proven they have the depth to cover any one player.  Their coach Aaron Falcione will been keen to ensure they don't go into this game with any lingering effects of their premiership celebrations. Should be a big crowd on hand to see this game - they won't be disappointed.

Prediction: Eagles to win by 2 goals.

Guelph Gargoyles V Ottawa Swans: The Gargoyles play host to the up and coming O-Town Swans in Guelph. Again word on the street has both sides having recruited some gun Aussies but the improvement for these two sides will need to come from their Canadian stocks if these two sides want to seriously challenge in 2010.  So we'll be interested to see how the rest of their recruitment has gone. A very long drive from Ottawa - and Margaret Green Reserve will be at its most unwelcoming for the Swans.  Gargoyles will revel in these tough conditions.

Prediction: Gargoyles to win by 4 goals.

Toronto Rebels V High Park Demons: These two sides were the battlers of the 2009 season, and 2010 looks like it might be a little more of the same. The Rebels have a strong core of players and are a well run outfit - giving a few of the bigger clubs a run for their money in 09. So they're not too far off the mark. While the Demons with new coach Martin Walters will look to build some momentum. As one of the foundation clubs of the OAFL - it's imperative that the Demons do not fold. And the support of the league President is the first step of many before the Demons are once again back to their former status as one of the league's heavyweights. But it's going to take a bit of time.

Prediction: Rebels by 6 goals.