Central have claimed the last five premierships on the trot and will look to continue their unprecedented dominance beginning at the Lyneham Hockey Centre on Saturday.

St Patrick's will begin their women's title defence against Tuggeranong Valley on Sunday to mark a weekend filled with hockey action in the capital.

ANU's women's outfit are looking to bounce back from grand final heartbreak in the varsity battle against arch-rivals the University of Canberra.

Both competitions will be without Albury Wodonga after a lack of players numbers forced the club to pull out on the even of round one.

Albury Wodonga's withdrawal has cut the men's competition to seven teams, while nine teams will fight it out for the women's crown.