Tough one for tippers, says Eagle

For thousands of football fans, the fun but highly competitive business of footy tipping is only a few weeks away.

Registrations are open for WA's Richest Footy Tipping Competition, which has a $150,000 prize pool and lets tippers compete against the best in the State.

Top prize is $50,000, or $100,000 for home delivery customers of The West Australian. A weekly prize of $1000 also doubles for home delivery customers.

West Coast forward Josh Hill reckons this season is going to be a tough one for tippers but he predicts the Eagles, Hawthorn and Collingwood are the top teams.

The Eagles forward line will be bolstered with the return of Mark LeCras and Mark Nicoski from injury. Strong pre-seasons from Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Hill should boost their stocks.

"It is a new year and I know a lot of the boys are keen to play," Hill said.

"LeCras has been out for the whole season and there's no one more excited to get back into it than him."

Fremantle are expected to push for a top-six spot in their second season under coach Ross Lyon.

With the off-season acquisition of former Rising Star winner Danyle Pearce and an injury-free off-season for midfielders Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Michael Barlow, the men in purple expect to see September action again.