There has been no shortage of speculation – as is the norm – in the off-season about recruiting and player movements, and who are going to be the improvers.

The 18 CHFL clubs will name their line-ups tonight for the opening round and anticipation is high.

The Courier’s Tim O’Connor knows the CHFL inside-out and he’ll be all over team selection, providing readers with all the latest in Friday’s edition and online at www.thecourier.com.au

NATIONALS AND GAMES TRIALS BEGIN TODAY

THE Australian Track and Field Championships and Commonwealth Games trials begin in Melbourne today.

Youngster Mitch Thompson will be among the first of a sizeable Ballarat contingent to compete at the four-day meet.

Thompson contests the opening round of the 800m today at 6.30pm

Ballarat-based Emma Werner, who hails from Dimboola, competes in the women’s open hammer throw qualification from 4.20pm.

TOP TRAINERS SHOW THE WAY

DARREN Weir and Emma Stewart each showed yesterday why they are at the top of the professions in their respective racing codes.

Weir maintained his super run on city tracks with yet another double – this time at Sandown Hillside.

Following a treble at Moonee Valley on Saturday, Weir saluted with NZ-bred Musica Royale ($3.50 favourite) in a 3yo maiden, 1300m, and Taiyoo ($3.10 favourite) in a benchmark78 handicap, 1800m.

Weir now has 61 city winners to lead the metropolitan trainers’ premiership by 18 over Peter Moody.

Stewart had treble at Shepparton last night to stay well in contention for the state harness racing trainers’ premiership.

She is second, trailing Mildura’s Shayne Cramp by six.

Stewart’s Smythes Creek stable won with Goodtime Bobby ($3.40) in a 3yo pace, 1690m; Hexham Heartbeat ($2.70) in a C5-C6 pace, 2190m; and Our Petite Soeur ($2 favourite) in a a 3yo pace, 1690m.