THE premiership-winning Singleton Roosters will kick off their title defence in April.
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The Black Diamond AFL committee released the 2017 draw this week, with a number of changes to the competition.
Football operations manager Garry Burkinshaw said everyone was geared up for a big year.
“The season starts on Saturday, April 1, and concludes on Saturday, September 2,” he said.
“The prestigious Black Diamond Cup boasts six teams while nine sides – including the Roosters and Muswellbrook Cats – will contest the revamped Black Diamond Plate.
“Another 11 outfits have nominated to play in reserve grade.
“The GE women’s competition will consist of 12 teams following the inclusion of Muswellbrook, as well as a second side in Newcastle.
“The Black Diamond Cup and Black Diamond Plate feature a final four in 2017.
“Reserve grade and GE women’s have a final five and final six respectively.”
Burkinshaw said other points of interest included a general bye/wet weather rounds for the Easter and Queen’s Birthday weekends.
“The Black Diamond Cup and GE women’s competition will have a bye for the representative fixtures on May 20,” he added.
“The popular Indigenous Round is scheduled for May 27 and, once again, will see a number of clubs wear specially-designed jumpers for the day.
“The Big Freeze – Newcastle Charity Day takes place at the No 1 Sportsground on June 17, while we’ll celebrate the women’s round on July 15.”
On the local front, the Roosters face Terrigal Avoca in the Black Diamond Plate, and reserve grade, at Rose Point Park in round one on April 1.
The club’s women tackle Killarney Vale at the same venue.
The senior men overcame atrocious conditions to claim the 2016 Division 1 flag.
The Roosters defeated Maitland Saints 6.7.43 to 2.4.16, setting up the win in the third term with a three-goal quarter, after leading at half-time by seven points.
Singleton put on a fantastic defensive effort in the final term to hold the Saints to just one major, while sealing the victory with a late goal themselves.
