Inverell Saints Men’s and Women’s teams kick off their AFL Northwest premiership defence tomorrow at Varley Oval when they host the Gunnedah Bulldogs.

Both teams will have some fresh faces along with familiar faces to start the year.

The Women’s team, under new coach Georgia Chappel, will face their fiercest rival in the Gunnedah Poochettes in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final.

The other round 1 match will see the return of the New England Nomads to the fold when they host the Tamworth Kangaroos at Bellevue Oval.

Meantime, the Saints will team up with the Glen Innes Celts to combine to field under 12 and 14s teams in the first gala day of the year on Sunday in Armidale