The incoming coach for the Tathra Sea Eagles senior SCAFL roster said he had really enjoyed heading up the reserve grade side last year and wanted to help guide rising young players through the club. 

"We got pipped at the post in the grand final last year, but it was great fun doing it," Lipsham said. 

"And knowing all the young kids are around and going to be into it [footy] I wanted to be able to make a difference for them and get them involved."

He said the juniors were both the future and backbone of the club and that a role as a playing coach would help him lead by example and set a standard for those coming through. 

"The future of the club isn't really players like Luke Taylor, Troy O'Loghlin or myself anymore, it's those young guys coming through."

Lipsham also said he would like to see a return to fast-paced attacking footy. 

"I want to be attacking off the backline, not worrying about other teams kicking goals," he said. 

"A strong defence is a good offense; I think that's the way we're going to play this year is attack, attack, attack.

"I find that is a lot more fun than trying to negate the other team."

He said the focus had been leaning more towards stacking the back line in past seasons and "I think the aim will be to forget some of that". 

"That's why the young kids are so key because they're fit, fast and agile, while some of us aren't as quick as we used to be," he said with a laugh. 

Lipsham is earmarking Zac Harlow and Billy Stubbs as potential star players for the club. 

"Billy will play a massive part, he played a really attacking game last year and it suited him to a tee, while Zac will be in the middle this year and he's awesome," he said. 

He also said there was a swathe of players coming through the under 16s who were already senior potential.

However, Lipsham said he would still be leaning on the existing experienced players - just with a refreshed playstyle. 

"We want to have fun and draw that game plan in and hopefully we'll pick up a few early wins to go with it."

He said increasing fitness as the season draws on will also bolster the team. 

Pre-season training is in full swing for the Sea Eagles, but interested players are always welcome.  Trainings will move to the regular Tuesday and Thursday time slots in March at Lawrence Park as cricket wraps up.

The 2019 Sapphire Coast AFL season draw is yet to be announced, but the first round is expected to be at the start of April.