The division seven champions from last year kick off the 2014 season with a trial match against Belwest at Walker Park on Saturday at 3pm.

Lennon told the Tribune it's a great opportunity to cast an eye over his large playing roster.

"We've got 31 players and 15 of them are new or didn't play last year, so it will be a real eye-opener," he said.

The senior Redbacks will be split into two teams, one to play in division seven and the other to contest division eight. Lennon will have his work cut out selecting his first-grade side from a single trial.

"We were hoping to have two games but only one eventuated. We've got a core group of first-graders that will play in the match but with 14 to be picked for both sides, guys will be out to impress in the trial and the following four weeks."

Lennon has been happily retired for three years but "got the itch" and took the call to replace last year's premiership winning coach Gary Urquhart.

"It's going to be a challenge following Gary but with the talent we have this year I'd be disappointed if we didn't at least make the semi-finals in both divisions and then defend the title," he said confidently.

Lennon led the Redbacks to the division five grand final three years ago and was disappointed that the reigning premiers weren't permitted to join that same division this year.

"We wanted to play in division five but they wanted us to play in the next division up from our second team, so it's good that we'll be able to travel and play together but I was hoping for more of a test for some of our better players."

The coach is excited about the return of many class players including Cameron and Ryan Betts, Daniel Taylor and Kyle Urquhart.

The rest of the newcomers will be out to impress this Saturday.

"The draw came out last night but I didn't even look at it, I'm just concentrating on this weekend," an excited Lennon said.

So get to Walker Park on Saturday to watch our defending premiers in action.