A Blue between 2014 and 2017, Musicka returned to Windsor Park in October and will play in Saturday's hotly-anticipated TSL derby against North Launceston.

The 27-year-old has flag credentials after playing a leading role in East Coast's 2018 NTFA premiership, but longs to add a TSL title to his trophy cabinet after an 18-month stint in Melbourne saw him miss out on South Launceston's 2013 success.

The hip troubles that dogged his 2016 and 2017 campaigns appear behind him following a pre-season with only a few niggles "here and there" and Musicka believes both he and Launceston are primed to produce their best form in 2020.

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"It's been awesome, the club's opened up to me and welcomed me back which is really good," he said.

"Thorpy [coach Mitch Thorp] has done a lot for the club and built that culture back up and just the professionalism from the boys - everyone's buying in.

"Hopefully we can beat North across the river there and I really think we can.

"There still is a TSL flag up for grabs, so no matter about COVID there is that reward at the end, it's just who wants to buy in and win basically and I really think we've got the side to do it."

A dynamic utility who will likely spend time forward and in the middle, Musicka became Blues defender Miller Hodge's brother-in-law earlier this year after getting married just before COVID hit Australian shores.

The keen mechanic also works for Hodge's father's business and is looking forward to running out with the 19-year-old for the first time this weekend.

"I'm really looking forward to playing with Miller, he sets the standard for the running along with Jobi [Harper]," Musicka said.

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"They're just really fit so you try and push and keep up with those guys and it's really rewarding at the end when you can get through a training or a 2km and not be too far behind them.

"We go hunting a lot together so we do do things outside football together which is good, we get away fishing down at Bridport when we can.

"A lot of the boys are really close which is good, that's what you want in a side. It really brings a tight-knit group and that's when you start playing really good football when you trust your teammates."

Musicka hopes to take up coaching come the end of his career and has sought out every opportunity to glean off Thorp and list manager Tim Bristow this season.

Thorp said the former Scotch Oakburn student, who is signed up for 2021, was as fit as he'd been since having his hips cleaned up.

"I've known him since he was a youngster," Thorp said.

"We did little athletics together, I coached him in 2012 and to see the growth in the young bloke on and off the field is really pleasing to see.

"His appetite for training since he's crossed over has been second to none and he's a bit of a pitbull, he only knows one way and we've missed a little bit of that in our side.

"We need guys that run in straight lines and Michael certainly does that.

"He's now 27 and at the peak of his powers - he's only missed three sessions since the first training run in November and two of those sessions were for his wedding, so that goes to show the level of commitment."