The 2025/26 LJ Hooker League season returns on Saturday, with a new look format and a new look for both Lismore clubs.

The new format will see an 18-round season of one-day games, with the FNC Cricket Council scrapping the mix of one and two day matches that has previously been played.

All matches will be 40 overs a side, which will hopefully suit more clubs and players.

Murwillumbah have decided to step down from Hooker League this season with their place will be taken by Terranora Lakes.

There are plenty of changes for Marist Brothers and Goonellabah Workers Sports as well, with new faces set to line-up in Round 1.

Brothers have continued their recent recruitment of Englishman, with allrounder Andrew Lindsay taking the reins from Harry Donelan in the off-season.

Big hitting Kevin Warid has changed camps and will lineup for cross-town rivals Goonellabah and spinner Tom Parsons has stepped away from Hooker League duties this season.

Tom Molloy made his Hooker League debut late last season and will step up this season to join other young guns Joe Parsons and Cooper Williams in another strong side for Marist Brothers.

Marist Brothers will host Lennox Head at Mortimer Oval on Saturday from 1:00pm.

For Goonellabah Workers Sports, Ben and Jack Cooper have been named in a strong side that includes Warid and a number of regulars, with Brady Toniello captaining the side this year.

The Goonellabah side will suit the new format of one-day matches, with big hitters and handy all-rounders including Kale Hare and Kaleb Armstrong.

GWS will travel east to Kingsford Smith South to take on Tintenbar East Ballina in the opening round.