Taylor Whitford will probably have the hardest job out of any coach in 2023, looking to defend the Premier's title - nothing he hasn’t done before, guiding North Launceston to back-to-back flags in 2018 and 2019.

In a recent interview with Casey Media, Whitford was asked about his transition from assistant coach to head coach. 

"It's been positive in the fact that the relationships within the club have already been established so that part of it was awesome," Whitford said.

Whitford has been with the Casey Demons for the past two years and has established good relationships with players and staff. He plans to continue these relationships and ensure that the environment he creates is an inclusive place that people want to be.

The transition to head coach has required Whitford to focus on people management and setting up a positive environment for the team. 

"Taking over the reins is about your people management and ensuring the environment is set up... It's also a place people want to be," said Whitford.

The incoming coach is excited to put his flavour on the existing relationships and build on the progress the team has made during the preseason. 

"Putting my little spin on it as well as we go along through the preseason, and now we're getting into games, and you're kind of in that in-season mode as a coach... I'm looking forward to the season starting."

The preseason has been enjoyable for the team but also challenging. 

"It's gone really quick... but playing those scratch games has put us in good stead for the upcoming season," said Whitford.

The team has undergone personnel changes, with a list turnover of five to ten new players. Whitford sees this as an opportunity to energise the team and bring in new talent. 

"Having that new mix has energised those guys that have been here for a couple of years... They're teaching as well as learning at the same time."

The team's preseason preparation has included a camp to build connections between the new and existing players.

"We planned our camp to be early in the preseason just to build some connection with those new younger guys, which was really valuable."

With the practice games all finished, the attention is turned to round one this weekend, as the Casey Demons unfurls the 2022 Premiership Flag and then look to start the season campaign and flag defence in style!