Following the impressive performances by each of the Premier League clubs in the Johnny Warren Cup, the season proper will commence with arguably the strongest field of players to-date taking to the pitch.

Amongst returning A-League players to the TeleChoice Premier League, NSW clubs – and their supporters – will witness a great level of football including promising youngsters such as the Trifiro brothers at Marconi Stallions, Chris Bedzo at Blacktown City and Stephen Kayes of A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers to name a few.

The action all kicks off this Friday evening when newly crowned Johnny Warren Cup Champions Sydney Olympic face ‘new boys’ West Sydney Berries.

Milan Blagojevic’s men will need to hit the ground running following all the hype surrounding the squad in pre-season.

The Blues have been tipped by each of the other eleven Premier League clubs as the favourites for the title.

Scott Baillie’s Berries have not had the smoothest of transitions amongst the Premier League sides after a disappointing pre-season campaign.

Baillie’s experience will be a telling factor for the new club, as the younger players will be looking to their mentor for inspiration.

Due to the A-League Grand-Final to be played in Sydney on Sunday, all remaining TeleChoice Premier League matches will be played on Saturday evening.

At John Crehan Park, notorious slow-starter Wollongong FC will begin their campaign against last season’s wooden-spooner - Penrith-Nepean United.

John Turner’s men know that a slow start last season cost them a finals spot after a great final run home, meanwhile Abbas Saad’s side will be looking at young gun Tayfun Buyukkopru as the side’s ‘secret weapon’ in a building season for the club.

Blacktown City v Sydney United always provides an action-packed encounter, and with both sides aiming for finals football this season, the encounter at Gabbie Stadium on Saturday will be no different.

At Jenson Park, arguably two of the better performers during the Johnny Warren Cup – Bankstown City and Manly United – go head-to-head.

Manly United hold bragging rights over Bankstown following the 3-2 win during pre-season, though Peter Tsekenis & Co. certainly did turn it on in their final match against West Sydney Berries.

Marconi Stallions may well be the quiet achiever this season. A side that will be expected to figure amongst the top-four, after an impressive season last time around under David Barrett.

The Stallions, who did struggle to find goals last season, now have two super marksmen in their wings –Tallan Martin and Tolgay Ozbey, however Ozbey will be out of the Rams clash due to suspension.

The Rams will push their ‘underdog tag’ to the limit, and Paul Carter’s men would enjoy nothing more than to sneak one over their more fancied rivals.

In the final match of the round, Sutherland Sharks will back-up at Seymour Shaw after the Johnny Warren Cup Final loss against Sydney Olympic – this time to face A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers.

The Sharks were unbeaten in the pre-season Cup, before the Final, meanwhile the Tigers failed to secure a single point from the three matches played.