The Magpies will head to Grafton to take on the Tigers in first and reserve grades, and coach Scott Abercrombie was eager to get going.

He said the pre-season had gone quickly for him, but for the players, the first round couldn't come quickly enough.

"If you ask the players, it's probably a different story," Abercrombie said.

The Magpies retain their core group which consists of the likes of Craig Dicker, James Cullen, Stewart Todd, Troy Kelly and Michael Kemp.

Former skipper Dicker has relinquished the captain's arm band this season because of commitment issues. Jesse Schmidt has taken over as skipper of the side. Abercrombie said Schmidt would shine in the position.

"Jesse Schmidt is one of the best footballers in the comp," Abercrombie said.

"He's really matured in the past couple of years."

Abercrombie predicted the Tigers to be in the same boat as his team, losing some old players and getting some new faces on board.

A big loss for the Magpies was Ben Hennessy, who went west to his native Perth to pursue an employment opportunity.

"It would have been handy to have him around for another season," Abercrombie said.

He won the premiership in his first year at the helm, and Abercrombie said this year he would feel even more confident in the role. He's had the entire pre-season to get going this time around, rather than being given the job with a couple of weeks until first bounce.

"In some ways, it feels a bit more like my team," he said.

The Tigers don't have an under 18s team but some of the Magpies' youngsters would get a game tomorrow anyway.

"They'll come in and fill a few spots for us," Abercrombie said.

When they get going the next weekend, Abercrombie said the 18s should do well.

"They're looking good for their title defence," he said.

Pick up next Friday's Port News for a preview on the Magpies' first home match of the season