The Magpies have been able to conjure a side to contest the WEG (Wests Entertainment Group) Group 4 under 18s competition.

That takes the total number of teams across the first grade, reserve grade, under 18s and league tag competitions to 33 and it all begins this weekend.

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Group 4 chairman Terry Psarakis is delighted with the addition of the Werris Creek juniors for the start of a new season featuring plenty of new faces.

"It is an exciting time. It's been a long time coming," Psarakis said in reference to the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I expect them [the players] to be very keen. Most haven't played since 2019.

"Some did play in the WEG 9s but the majority have just had a few trials in the lead-up to this weekend's start.

"That makes it even more interesting with new players and coaches.

"We also have Moree returning to Group 4 for the first time in a number of years and they are under a new coach, Ben Williams, who played well in the WEG 9s too."

While Williams is the Moree Boars' new captain-coach, he isn't the only "new" coach in Group 4 this 2021 season.

"We have Mick Schmiedel at Gunnedah, Jake Rumsby at Narrabri and Cody Tickle and Thomas Brown at Werris Creek," Psarakis said.

"Shaun Ferguson takes over at Dungowan and Brad McManus at North Tamworth.

"It's great to see the clubs in such good hands."

Ferguson and McManus match up in the first round match at the Dungowan Recreation Reserve on Sunday as the Cowboys host the reigning premiers North Tamworth.

Narrabri, under Rumsby, host Moree in a local derby at Narrabri on Sunday, too.

There is also another local derby on the opening weekend when Boggabri host Gunnedah at Boggabri on Saturday. Shane Rampling and his revitalised Kangaroos are preparing well for their clash with Schmiedel's Gunnedah Bulldogs.

The other opening round clash, also on Saturday, will be at Werris Creek where the Tickle and Brown-coached Magpies meet Geoff Sharpe's Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters.

"It's going to be interesting to see how they all fare, especially with all eight first grade clubs having reserve grade sides in a competition also including Manilla and Barraba," Psarakis said.

Psarakis wished all teams the best of luck and believes the new season will be tightly and bravely contested.

SATURDAY

Werris Creek v Kootingal (David Taylor Park, Werris Creek)

First grade: 3pm

Reserve grade: 1.25pm

Under 18s: 12.05pm

Ladies league tag: 11am

Boggabri v Gunnedah (Jubilee Oval, Boggabri)

First grade: 2.50pm

Reserve grade: 1.10pm

Ladies league tag: 12pm

Barraba v Manilla (Barraba Sportsground)

Reserve grade: 2.30pm

Ladies league tag: 1pm

SUNDAY

Narrabri v Moree (Collins Park, Narrabri)

First grade: 2.50pm

Reserve grade: 1.10pm

Ladies league tag: 12pm

Dungowan v Norths (Dungowan Recreation Reserve)

First grade: 2.50pm

Reserve grade: 1.10pm

Ladies league tag: 12pm