The last time the Blacks ladies were playing in the full season of SIRU, they were able to take out the title in 2019.

They didn't get a chance to defend their title in 2020 with the Blacks not taking part in the season due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic but did taste success in the back end of last year with success in the two sevens competitions held in Leeton and Hay.

Women's coach Lama Lolotonga feels his side are in a great position heading into their season-opening clash with the Cutters.

"The girls are looking good. They are getting a bit fitter, and I think really looking forward to it. It is going to be a good game, I reckon," he said.

" I think we have prepared really well with our preseason, so hopefully, we will be in great shape this weekend."

Some of the Blacks players have been on the football field over the last 12 months for other clubs in the competition or with the Riverina Bulls rugby league side, and Lolotonga feels it will have his side in good shape for round one.

"There are a couple of new girls, but it is almost the same side as last time," he said.

"Our girls have the experience of playing with each other for a while.

"We have a couple who have been playing rugby league as well, and a few of them played last year as well (for other sides)."

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The Griffith Blacks coach is happy with the way his side is shaping up, feeling it is well equipped to make a strong impression this season.

"Our forwards will be our strength and the girls out wide," he said.

"We have girls with a lot of speed like Ua (Ravu) and Lele (Katoa), and our forwards are getting fitter and stronger."

Taking on the Cutters this weekend, Lolotonga is expecting it to be a difficult encounter.

"I'm expecting a tough game from them," he said.

"They are tough players, and they can run around the girls.

"They are young, and I think they will have improved from last year."

While the Blacks ladies will make their return to the playing arena after the long break, the first-grade side will still have to wait another week to get back out on the field.

It won't just be the women's side in action on Friday night, however, with the second-grade side getting their season underway.

The action will get underway with the ladies clash kicking off at 7.15pm, with second-grade clash following at 8.10pm at Exies Oval.

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