AS SENIOR coach of Melbourne's new VFL affiliate, the Casey Scorpions, Peter German will be a key factor in the Demons' on-field fortunes in the 2009 AFL season.

German was appointed to the role this week after departing Fremantle where he was a member of Mark Harvey's coaching panel last year and he brings a wealth of experience to the position.

The former North Melbourne player has also held down assistant coaching roles with Hawthorn and West Coast, and led Subiaco to the WAFL premiership twice during his four-year tenure. But it is his latest challenge that is exciting German most.

"It's great to be able to grab an opportunity like this and I've got no doubt that what's going to be set up between Melbourne and Casey will be a long-term thing," he said.

"It's probably a dual role in that I'll be working for both the Melbourne footy club and the Casey Scorpions.

"Part of what my role is all about is to make sure that the alignment really works between the two. I'll be working to make sure there are clear lines of communication and will have to have a handle on where the Melbourne players are at and also have an in-depth knowledge of the Casey VFL players.

"That's going to be the real challenge in the first year; to make sure that the alignment works."

Melbourne ended its association with Sandringham at the end of the 2008 season and replaces St Kilda as the Scorpions' AFL partner. Casey enjoyed a successful season after making it to the semi-final stage, but German said that was no indication of next year's form.

"We'll have a massive turnover in players because of that St Kilda scenario," he said.

"I don't think anyone expects us to win a premiership next year or anything like that, but we will set it up for that two, three or four years down the track. I think both clubs are understanding of that, and if we can get some success before that then it's a bonus."

German was an assistant coach to current Melbourne football manager Chris Connolly when he coached Fremantle, and is looking forward to forging a strong relationship with Demons' senior coach Dean Bailey.  

"I hadn't had much to do with Dean before which is good," he said.

"The way he thinks about football is a bit different to the way I do, but that's great. I'm looking forward to working with Dean because the way he thinks about football and his ways of implementing a style of play is different to what I've been used to".

German hasn't had to deal with having a large proportion of his side come from another club before and he admitted he will face a balancing act between winning for Casey and developing the young Demons in his squad.

"That's part of the challenge for sure. Everyone understands that's what happens, but as the year goes on we'll be trying a few of the younger guys in some different positions," he said.

"You've got to be prepared to not, at times, even put your best team out there … it's always a balance between development and obviously trying to win the game as well.

"I'm going into it with my eyes open knowing that's part of the role."

German has signed on for two years and will take his first training session on Friday.