The club as a whole was overrun with interest when the registration dates opened in July, so it's not just the first-grade outfit that's in the box seat to contend.

Lyden, who's been coaching women's rugby league for the past six seasons, says his Vipers girls are a joy to work with.

"All the girls want to learn about the game and they also want to go on the field and put it into practice," he said.

"The whole group wants to work towards the same goal.

"The end goal for us is obviously to win it all, but improving the players is most important."

Lyden expects the majority of last year's star-studded roster to return for the summer as Heidi Regan, Jacky Lyden and Kiara Sullivan are among guns expected to rock up to pre-season training... if it goes ahead.

"It's obviously all a bit up in the air at the moment," he said.

One of the major changes to this year's competition is the increase in length as it's set to be played over two rounds instead of one.

Lyden expects this adjustment to level the playing field.

"I think it's going to be a really even comp this year," he said.

"We didn't have any easy games last year, and all the teams will get better as the season progresses.

"Even Bathurst last year, we beat them comfortably the first time we played them but they were much tougher in the finals."

Naturally, the Wiradjuri Goannas will loom large over the summer as it was the side that fell to Vipers in last year's finale.

"They're [Dubbo] always going to be strong, and you never know was Castlereagh is going to toss up. Woodbridge will be good too."

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