The experienced playmaker takes over the side from former captain-coach Matt Coehlo, who has decided to stay on as a player.

"Last year I think we under-achieved, so we're all hoping for a bit of a better year this year," he said.

"In my opinion there's no reason why we can't go better, we've got a good squad and everybody's looking forward to getting into it."

The Superoos look like having a relatively similar squad to last year, and Dallas believes a different outlook among players in the club's lower grades will also help their campaign.

"We've lost a couple, but we've picked up a few good footballers, including AJ Hatch and Matt Jarrett, who are both back-rowers and what we needed after losing Robbie Noble and Simon Maslanka.

"I think Kiama will be big improvers and I think a side like Berry, who has been bringing young blokes through, will start to improve.

"Then there's Shellharbour who look like being pretty tough and Gerringong as well."

Kiama co-coach Luke Muttdon wants his side to do more than simply make up the numbers in this year's Group 7 finals series.

The returning Muttdon, who will fill a player-coach role in partnership with Matt O'Brien, believes the Knights have the players needed to deliver Kiama a first grade premiership.

"In my opinion if we were to go out in the first week of the semis again that would be a bit of a failure," he said.

"We've been building for the last couple of years and with the squad we have, barring any injuries, I think we have the side who can win a comp, and that's my goal.

"Depth-wise we have got a couple of new blokes as well; Dean Bristow, a utility back from Tumut, and Luke Sutton, a front-rower from Queanbeyan, and they've fitted in really well and will suit what we want to do.

"The club's done a great job of that recently and I think our juniors are our strength, and the more we bring through, the better it is for the club and the town."

Gerringong will start their season at Berry Showground on Saturday after a low-key preseason, which hasn't included any trial matches.

"We know the players we have and we haven't got any new ones this year, so we decided to keep it simple early which is why we haven't played a trial," coach Mick Cronin said.

"We've lost a couple of first graders from last year, but Dave Catterall has come back."

A consistent force in first and reserve grade in recent years, Cronin said the club may be tested a bit more this season.

"We have lost a lot of the depth that we've had in our reserve grade side for the last few years.

"In saying that, we've been lucky enough in the last few years to get a couple of players come through from the under-18s and looks like we'll get a couple more this year as well."

The full first grade draw is: Friday: Kiama Knights v Jamberoo Superoos at Kiama Showground 7pm. Saturday: Berry Magpies v Gerringong Lions at Berry Showground 2.45pm; and Port Kembla Black v Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles at Noel Mulligan Oval 2.45pm. Sunday: Shellharbour City Sharks v Warilla-Lake South Gorillas at Ron Costello Oval 2.45pm; and Nowra-Bomaderry Jets v Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs at Bomaderry Sports Complex 2.45pm.