The competition might be called the Fox, but rest assured this year everyone will actually be hunting bears. Glenora claimed their first SAS Fox Memorial Premiership since the turn of the century last year, coming out convincing winners in the Grand Final in a year where they also wrestled control of the Konica Minolta Roope Rooster. If anything, Glenora’s roster is even better this time around and they look set for another big year.

2017 finish: Winners of the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership.

Ins: Caleb Uele (Brothers rugby league, Townsville), Dean Kouka-Smith (New Zealand Warriors), Manu Weepu (Ponsonby), Simon Luafalealo (Marist), John Nicodemus (Te Atatu), Chaz Brown (Mt Albert), Dakota Ruta (New Lynn), Shawn-Ray Pafalani (New Lynn), Wayne Tomasi (Pakuranga), Vara Duisokosoko (Suburbs Rugby), Mark Cowan (New Lynn)

Outs: Aaron Booth (retired), Utah Ioka (overseas), Kouma Samson (Mt Albert)

The draw: It looks like a tough first three weeks for the Bears, who open the season with a Grand Final rematch against Pt Chevalier, before coming up against the physical Papakura Sea Eagles and the vastly-improved Northcote Tigers. Their Round 1 meeting with the Pirates shapes as a thriller.

(Photo: photosport.nz).