Six games this weekend sees the Big V Championship men up and running after a hectic pre-season which has seen a bucket load of changes across a range of teams. And what a season it promises to be, with a smaller team roster promising easily the toughest Big V season on record.

Gone are league stalwarts Shepparton and Bulleen, competing this year in the league's division one competition. Likewise Sherbrooke, after three years in the top competition, and two finals appearances, have elected to step back into Division One, and concentrate on using their own talent.

The result is a competition that looks like any game will be tough. Let's look at the teams and the key changes to personnel for 2006.

Dandenong:

The Rangers made the grand final in 2005 in their inaugural year behind the spectacular athleticism of Lester Strong and excellent team defence. They set about making significant changes to their roster aimed at correcting two weaknesses; some tall support for Strong and some help at the guard spot.

Ash Cannon signed, bringing with him Brent Hobba from his WA SBL side. All of the sudden the Rangers were big - and Hobba has an outside game to contend with as well. With rumours circulating that Simon Conn will return to the fold, the Rangers could go from big to huge.

The backcourt had also been attended to, but then things got untidy for the club. ABA legend Mick Wheeler signed, and after impressing all at training, was struck down with a season ending knee injury.

The end result is that Dandenong will be impressive inside, with a bundle of options, but that they will probably lack heavy scoring at the 1-2-3 spots in 2006. That in no way puts them out of the title race, it just means that they play to their new strengths, which lots of teams will struggle with.

In Brief:

In: Ash Cannon (WA), Brent Hobba (WA), Chris Law (Dandenong Juniors), James De Neefe (YL), Mick Wheeler (Kilsyth)
Out: Josh Dickens (retired)
Likely Starting Five: Lester Strong, Ash Cannan, Brent Hobba, Mark Roberts, David Godfrey

Coach: Warren Dawson
Assistant: Mick Wheeler

One To Watch: Lester. These days his surname rarely gets mentioned. The athletic forward will pose plenty of problems again in 2006 and with attention starting to be received from NBL clubs, it might not just be problems for other clubs.

Diamond Valley:

The hierarchy at DV will be hoping that peace has been made with the Hoop Gods that dismantled their championship race in 2005 with a shocking run of injuries.

While the nucleus of the side has returned, the major change comes at the top, where Simon Mitchell has stepped away from Coaching, at least for the time being. His replacement, Kelvin Bowers, is absolutely no stranger to the league having mentored the Sunbury club since their introduction to the competition in the late 90's.

Bowers will be welcomed by some familiar faces. The side now includes two of his pupils at Sunbury in Luke Valentine and Nathan Sellwood.

The Eagles still have lots of experience in the line-up, and some fine young talent. Coping with the Coaching change might be the thing that matters most in their quest to again set the league on fire.

In Brief:

In: Nathan Sellwood (Sherbrooke), Senad Dizdarevic (Hume City), Sammy Gazzo (Bulleen), Adem Hassan (Craigieburn), Nick Mortimer (AIS Volleyball)
Out: Kevin Anstey (ret), Richard Anstey (ret), Bart Strzebonski (Mt Gambier)
Likely Starting Five: Darren Holness, Senad Dizdarevic, Tom Burns, Nathan Sellwood, Liam Santamaria

Coach: Kelvin Bowers
Assistant Coach:

One To Watch: Tom Burns. The youngster stepped into Big V Championship with a terrific rookie year that almost saw him included in the Big V All Star team for the NBL Blitz. The Eagles will be hoping he will not be affected by any type of second season malaise.

Eltham

Eltham have one of the longest lists in the Big V Championship, having registered no fewer than 15 players at the commencement of the season.

What they also have though is a bundle of changes. Former Captain Dale Weston steps in as assistant to Sammut and Liam Dobson has also retired. Cooper will not return from the US, spending his summer break overseas and Ben Lewis and Daniell Cullinan are experimenting with other sports this winter.

The Wildcats welcome back Joel Seach after a great first year with the club and introduce some former Bulleen talent in Aaron Lorych, Paul McMaster and Ashley Nesbitt.

The most exciting off-season arrival though is Damon Lowry. The NBL star adds genuine big league experience to an otherwise youthful roster.

Eltham are taller, a little wiser but still young - their new kids are good, and have dominated in YL, but remain rookies in ABA competition.

In Brief:

In: Paul McMaster (Bulleen), Ash Nesbitt (Bulleen), Aaron Lorych (Bulleen), Damon Lowry (Townsville), Michael Scouller (YL), Matt Fennell (YL), Peter Hayman (YL), Jeremy Datson (YL)
Out: Liam Dobson (ret), Dale Weston (ret), Owen Pietsch (Hawthorn), Luke Cooper (USA), Ben Lewis, Daniell Cullinan
Likely Starting Five: John Lister, Damon Lowry, Adam Moore, John Seach, Paul McMaster

Coach: Andre Sammut
Assistant Coach: Dale Weston

The One To Watch: John Lister. Lister went to the Blitz as a reserve and saw plenty of action, but importantly came away with a renewed commitment. Named as club captain, his leadership will be critical to this side.

Hume City

The Bronco's had an interesting off season as they continued their search for a combination that will put them back on top of the Big V pile.

The nucleus of the side has been retained, with Greg Smith, Brad Collins, Mike Spears and the evergreen Randy Anderson again set to spearhead their charge. Two returnees add colour, in Russel McIntosh and Chris Stanko, the former from the Waratah league and the latter after illness.

The losses are significant. James Anderson and Luke Egan provided a deal of scoring last year that will need to be replaced. Add to that Senad Dizdarevic's move to Diamond Valley and the side has lost their tallest player.

Hume will be physically confronting and will win plenty of games - certainly at home in what has come to rival the Arc as the leagues "baddest" venue.

In Brief:

In: Mark Eversteyn (Sherbrooke), Russell McIntosh (Hornsby), Chris Stanko (from illness), Kane Wright (Keilor), Gavin Mitchell (YL), Tim Ireland (YL)
Out: James Anderson (Waverley), Senad Dizdarevic (Diamond Valley), Luke Egan (Latrobe City)
Likely Starting Five: Greg Smith, Jarrod Collins, Mike Spears, Brad Collins, Jeff Talbot

Coach: Kevin Fleming
Assistant Coach: Steve Paslawskyj

One To Watch: Mark Eversteyn. This boy is a giant of a player, stacking in 115kg in a 210cm frame, but his signing appears to be a big risk considering Eversteyn last took the court in anger nearly 2 years ago, and then just for a couple of games. Fleming will be hoping this is a piece of inspired recruiting, or the load on Spears just gets all the heavier.

Latrobe City

The Pacers probably did not get enough credit for what they achieved last season, losing something like ten games by under 10 points. Still, the changes after that season have been momentous.

Only three players have been retained from last years side. The athletic and crowd favourite Vashon Weaver, evergreen Duncan Brooks and Jordan Canovan.

The biggest pick-up? Without doubt new Coach Dean Vickerman, who has agreed to a two year term. Vickerman, who was second assistant to Al Westover's Philips Championship winning side brings tremendous experience to the side, along with a capacity to draw players to the program. The added bonus is that he is a Warragul boy, and a favourite in the Valley.

On top of all that add a sparkling, new look Traralgon stadium, where the Pacers will play the majority of their home games in 2006, and things are looking bright for a competitive season and, the locals hope, an improved win-loss record.

In Brief:

In: Brett Harvey (Morwell), Nicholas Masunda (Melb Uni), Liam Norton (Melb Tigers), Nate O'Brien (Waverley), Jeff Reid (Warragul), Luke Egan (Hume City), Joe Hooks (US) Nathan Solibake
Out: Mark Van Dyke (Ret), Paul Clough (ret), Sedale Threatt Jnr (Melb Tigers), Stuart Leech (Waverley), Sam Hurren (Sandringham)
Likely Starting Five: Liam Norton, Jeff Reid, Luke Egan, Vashon Weaver, Joe Hooks

Coach: Dean Vickerman
Assistant Coach: Ron Brooks

One To Watch: Jeff Reid. Vickerman says that after coming back from an horrendous knee injury and then nearly winning a title last year with Warragul that Reid is ready to fire - certainly it will be a great story if he can.

Melbourne

The changes at Melbourne have also been significant and again, are headed by a significant change in Coaching personnel. Darryl McDonald snr will take charge of a team that looks on paper like it will run from minutes one through 48, so loaded is the backcourt.

Corletto, Derrick McDonald and Sedale Threatt Jnr make for a swarming guard rotation that will be the quickest and most electric in the league.

A hot tip already for the Youth League player award, Tigers development player Tommy Greer will be a standout. He'll need to be as the Tigers will not have Gerard Leonard in 2006.

The Tigers will need Dave Donaldson to step up big time in his third season with the club. They appear overall weak in the front court when you look at recruitment generally around the league. Jerome Cole will enjoy plenty of time and Chris Hogan and James Guljas must make significant contributions.

In Brief:

In: Tom Greer (Tigers NBL), Derrick McDonald (Mt Gambier), Andrew Oliver (Monash Uni)
Out: Liam Norton (Latrobe City), Paul Widdis (Retired), Gerard Leonard (Knox), Scott Cuffe
Likely Starting Five: Daryl McDonald, Sedale Threatt Jnr, Jerome Cole, David Donaldson, Tommy Greer

Coach: Darryl McDonald
Assistant Coach: Matt Ferris

One To Watch: Tommy Greer. An exciting and emerging NBL player who spent much of his junior career at Knox, Greer is the early tip for Youth Player of the Year and a chance for All Star Five.

Ringwood

The rivalry between Ringwood and Sherbrooke will be sorely missed but the clubs have well and truly made up by effectively merging their rosters.

The Hawks won't see that as negative as most of the players coming to the club are returnees - including Damien Smith, Jason Eversteyn and Sam Philp. And of course, the Hawks only ever championship winning Coach in Ken Harrington.

Ringwood look very exciting on paper - Eversteyn and Luke McMillan make for one of the tallest frontcourt combos in the league, and with Brett Rainbow, Sam Philp, Luke O'Hea and Damien Smith they have lots of scoring options.

The Hawks recruiting has probably been overlooked as Werribee, Sandringham and Dandenong have grabbed a lot of attention, but their line-up, and Harrington, ensures they will be a contender come August.

In Brief:

In: Damien Smith (Sherbrooke), Luke O'Hea (Ireland), Jason Eversteyn (Hunter NBL), Sam Philp (Sherbrooke)
Out: Nathan Taylor (Frankston), Jason Ferriere (Sherbrooke)
Likely Starting Five: Jason Eversteyn, Luke McMillan, Brett Rainbow, Willie Weimer, Damien Smith

Coach: Ken Harrington
Assistant Coach: Mark Sutton

One To Watch: Willie Weimer. This is Harrington's own nomination as he expects the second year starter to blossom in 2006. Certainly there will be less pressure this year as the talent that has been assembled can get the job done - that might just free up the explosive Weimer.

Sandringham

The title holders have plenty of teams gunning for them in 2006 and once again have recruited a stunning group of talent to drive their championship defence.

Vince Crivelli enters his sixth year as Head Coach of the program minus Bobby Cunningham and Matt Smith, but with certified replacements in Nathan Crosswell and Brett Wheeler. They again looked balanced, experienced and classy. Sandringham has become the outstanding club in the ABA (outside of the AIS) to either develop or redevelop your NBL game and little seems to have changed in 2006 with both Wheels and Crosswell seeking NBL contracts.

Once again the club steps up off court, adding a sports psychologist to the roster and the professional team management expertise of Ian Jones (Melb Tigers). Crivelli's bench may now be longer than either Brian Goorjian's but it will again deliver big time in the Big V.

The Sabres are looking to defend a title, and have the tools to do it. The question will be how much other teams have stepped up to threaten them.

In Brief:

In: Nathan Croswell (Cairns), Brett Wheeler (Sydney), David Moore (US College), Sam Hurren (Latrobe City)
Out: Bobby Cunningham (Warrnambool), Matt Smith (Cairns)
Likely Staring Five: Nathan Croswell, Craig White, Dean Rzechta, Marcus Timmons, Brett Wheeler

Coach: Vince Crivelli
Assistant Coach: Dave Pummell

One To Watch: Dean Rzechta. The Sabres small forward has earned himself a reputation has an outstanding defender and is a prized piece of the Sabres rotation - Crivelli will want him to take another step in 2006 in what is a star-studded line-up.

Warrnambool

Rod Hind is a brand new Coaching face in the Big V but is an old head when it comes to the game. His mentorship, and how the old and new Seahawks alike respond is key to their success in 2006.

Hind will play no favourites, and expect contributions from everyone on court. A number of his playing personnel are young, yet have a number of seasons behind them - they need to take the next step.

Cunningham returns, which, provided he is playing at the same weight and form as 2005, automatically makes this team the goods. Curtis Small will again worry plenty of defenders and the ABA's most experienced player, Shane Smith, brings great court nous and leadership. Word is that new import Tim Gainey has an exciting game which he will unleash at the 3-4 spot.

The Seahawks look undersized, especially with Borner bowing out, but the Arc will provide a cache of wins, probably enough to see them threatening for finals.

In Brief:

In: Bobby Cunningham (Sandringham), Tim Gainey (USA), Will Blake (Hamilton), Scott Gedge (Whittlesea), Nathan Sobey (Warrnambool Jnr), Nick Borthwick (Warrnambool Jnr), Zach Pickett (Warrnambool Jnr)
Out: Ray Borner (ret), Leon O'Neill (delisted), Jared Swanson (Shepparton), Dean Brebner (Geelong)
Likely Staring Five: Curtis Small, Tim Gainey, Bobby Cunningham, Shane Smith, Sam Burch

Coach: Rod Hind
Assistant Coach: Adam Steere

One To Watch: Sam Burch. Burch has shown glimpses of talent in his time in Big V and oozes potential - Rod Hind will be hoping he can establish himself as a legitimate league star in 2006.

Waverley

A disappointing exit from last years finals series is something that Mike Slusher and his Waverley charges will want to put behind them in 2006.

They have the talent to do that, despite the loss of Ivan Platenik over the summer.

The Falcons have added genuine offensive power in James Anderson and the exciting game of Dallas Wilson as well as helping the front-court with the acquisition of Andrew Knowles and Stuart Leech. Given the development of the league they still appear one quality player short in the front court and rumours persist that David Stiff might still make himself available - which would instantly fix any problems they might have in that area.

Waverley will again build themselves around the rock that is Darren Smith. His play, his leadership and his class all make sure the Falcon's will be in every game.

In brief:
In: Dallas Wilson (Shepparton), James Anderson (Waverley), Stuart Leech (Latrobe City), Andrew Knowles (Nunawading)
Out: Ivan Platenik (Werribee)
Likely Starting Five: Darren Smith, Matt Nunn, Matt Sheehan, James Anderson, Andrew Knowles

Coach: Mike Slusher
Assistant: Steve Moresi

One to Watch: Stuart Leech. Mike Slusher has a reputation for working with talls and word is that Leech has been on court extensively. Waverley are expecting a solid year from the 204cm centre.

Werribee

The Devils have already claimed two titles this season - that of pre-season champs and the recruiting class of the year. Giddey, Platenik, Anstey and of course Threatt are significant additions to a group that struggled, largely due to Coaching mishaps, in 2005.

Werribee are a proud club and their results last year did not sit well with management. They started the changes rolling with Giddey's appointment, and things have just paced along since then.

The disappointing loss may be Nathan Marsh. There was nothing wrong with what he achieved in 2005, and alongside Anstey he might have had a great season. Altona are certainly better for his return to Division One ranks.

On balance, Werribee look better, much better. Brad Salter will lead a team that once again has finals in their sights.

In: Ivan Platenik (Waverley), Arben Tairi (LTU), Chris Moore (Melbourne Tigers), Sedale Threatt (NBA)
Out: Eddie Cox (ret), Nathan Marsh (Alt)
Likely Starting Five: Brad Salter, Sedale Threatt, Michael Petridis, Ivan Platenik, Graeme Anstey

Coach: Warrick Giddey
Assistant Coach: Craig Adams

One To Watch. Threatt. It's simply not every day that a 955 game NBA veteran comes and plays in the Big V. Even at 45, Threatt is likely to drag a lot of people through the doors at the Werribee stadium and word is that he will generate plenty of wins.