The 22-year-old midfielder boasts a rich red and black pedigree as the son of former premiership player and club coach Chris ``Sleeper'' Whitford, but is keen to forge his own reputation as a player.

``I've never played in a final in senior footy and that's something I really want to do,'' he said.

``But we break our schedule down into blocks and look at the games coming in that block and then look to the next one and don't get too far ahead of ourselves.''

Whitford played all his junior footy at North before heading to the SANFL in 2010 for a season with South Adelaide.

He returned to the Northern Bombers for a year in 2011 before another season away at Albury-Wodonga in 2012, and has been back home for the past two State League seasons.

``I went away as an 18-year-old to test my footy and see how far I could go,'' he said.

``The SANFL was unbelievable and I wish I was still there but that's the way things go.

``I'm concentrating on finishing my teaching degree at the moment and then we'll see where we go.''

Enjoying the move to a midfield role this season, he said he was happy with his form but believes that there is still plenty of room for improvement individually and as a team.

``It's not a bad start personally but I just have to keep it going,'' Whitford said.

``Last year my start was all right and I dropped off in the middle so I've just been doing my training and preparation and trying to keep that working.

``As a team we've had a good start with a couple of lapses.

``The one against Clarence I thought we played 3-1/2 quarters of good footy and the game against Burnie was a real eye-opener for us.

``Hopefully that can turn us in the right direction for the rest of the year.''

Taking on cross-town rival Launceston this week, Whitford has plenty of motivation, having never been part of a winning team at Windsor Park.

``We're set and ready to go _ obviously their form has not been as great as it has been and it's well-known they have lost a few players but you never take Lonnie for granted,'' he said.