The two-times Blues premiership player and 2013 TSL Hudson Medallist as the competition’s leading goalkicker spent last season playing with Victorian club Tatura in the Goulburn Valley Football League.

‘‘The opportunity came up and they offered me a deal and we finished fourth after losing the second final,’’ Whiting said.

‘‘The first half of the year I was a bit slow to adapt to their style of footy but I kicked about 60 goals in the second half of the year.’’

Whiting returned home in mid-November and has put in a full preseason with his old club.

‘‘It’s been good and it’s probably the best I’ve felt physically so hopefully we can look forward to a good year,’’ he said.

Launceston finished ninth last TSL season with four wins from 18 games after a big turnover of senior players from 2013.

Whiting was hopeful that the Blues could improve on that record this season and said he could be spending a bit more time in the midfield as well as up forward this season.

‘‘We’ve had a practice game against Western Storm and we were pretty competitive in that,’’ he said.

‘‘A lot of the younger blokes have another year and another preseason under their belts which has made them fitter and stronger.

‘‘If we can keep everyone fit, I can’t see why we couldn’t beat some of the top teams.’’

Launceston coach Scott Stephens welcomed Whiting’s return, acknowledged his value as a goalkicker, and flagged his role in the leadership group this season as an assistant coach.

‘‘Sonny is a quality player and a decent young bloke, and to get him back to the club gives us a bit more leadership,’’ he said.

‘‘He has put his hand up to take on more of a role in the leadership area and try to help the young kids around the club.

‘‘He has been one of the main guys to set the standard during preseason and is the strongest I’ve ever seen him.’’