The Greyhounds and Colts are also in the top grade of the women's ladies league tag competition in which they take on reigning three-time champions the Aberglasslyn Ants and Maitland United.

The Bears side this year is coming together in tribute to former Maitland Pickers and Beresfield junior Harry Hofman who died aged 18 in October 2014, from a ruptured spleen, the result of Epstein Barr Virus.

The majority of the team, several featuring first grade experience at the Maitland Pickers and Blacks, played with Harry at the Bears and Pickers or in school representative football at St Peter's Maitland/St Mary's Maitland.

The competition kicks off on July 18 and the Bears open their campaign on the road against University of Newcastle on July 18. United host Glendale Gorillas at Coronation Oval and the Greyhounds host the Colts. In the final game last year's A-grade premiers Dora Creek take on B-grade title holders West Wallsend.

In A-grade LLT, the Ants host Wangi Warriors at McKeachie's Sportsground, Maitland United are at home against Hamilton Ducks at Coronation Oval. Singleton hosts Greta Branxton and University are at home to Raymond Terrace.

Aberglasslyn is in B-grade men's along with Waratah Mayfield Cheetahs, Fingal Bay Bomboras, Dudley Magpies, Mallabula Panthers, Wallsend Maryland Tigers, Tall Timbers and West Rosellas.

Dungog Warriors, Morpeth Bulls and Raymond Terrace are part of the eight team C-grade comp along with Singleton reserves, Budgewoi, Morisset, Stroud and Hamilton Ducks.

Dungog is at home to Raymond Terrace and Morpeth hosts Stroud.

The Kearsely Crushers are in D-grade.

Thornton Beresfield are entering a team for the first time in ladies league tag and kick off their B-grade campaign away to 2019 C-grade grand finalists Dungog.

B-grade LLT also includes Fingal Bay, Mallabula,Dudley Magpies, Shortland, Stroud and Swansea-Caves.