Having spent the past five years with the Bears bullocking midfielder Laird is taking on the new challenge of playing coach.

Laird is taking over from Greg Gadsden, who had guided the Bears from a re-build that began from scratch in 2016 following an exodus of players before stepping down after this year's frustratingly COVID-impacted season.

"Coaching is something I've always wanted to do... it has been a matter of when would be the right time," Laird said on Friday.

"The club approached me a while back and I've thought about it and feel that this is the right time to get into it and have a go.

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"The club presented me with an opportunity and I thought, why not, there's going to be plenty of support behind me who will help me grow."

Laird takes over a Bears' side that finished fifth on the ladder this year, but didn't get the chance to play finals with the season called off because of lockdown community sport restrictions before the finals could start.

"I feel we'll still be a team pushing to be part of finals again next year... I don't see us going backwards, that's for sure," Laird said.

"We feel that we've got the core group of players we need and that by adding in a few more we'll be right."

The Bears have suffered a key off-season blow with gun young ruckman Nathan Twigg headed to North Central league club Boort.

Key defender Orion Downing has signed with Huntly, while forward Jesse Evans will play with North Bendigo.

"Recruiting-wise I think we need a good key forward, which is something we've lacked for the past couple of years," Laird said.

"We'd also like an A grade on-baller, someone who could straighten up our defence at centre half-back and we obviously need to fill the ruck position as well.

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"We've got a few players we're talking to, but none we can confirm yet."

At the age of 25 Laird joins Jack Daley (Calivil United), Rick Ladson (Bridgewater) and Marcus McKern (Mitiamo) as new LVFNL senior coaches for 2022.

"I think I'll be fairly easygoing... nothing too much flusters me, but I know I will be challenged at times," Laird said.

"I've said to a few of the boys already that just because I have the coach label doesn't mean I'm still not their mate and they can still approach me the same way.

"They can challenge and question me the same way I will of them.

"We'll look to get a good pre-season into the boys and be ready to go."

Meanwhile, the Bears' senior best and fairest was won this year by Darcy Poulter.

"It was Darcy's first full year of seniors and he attacked the footy like he'd been playing for five years... there's no fuss about him, he just cracked in and had a go," Laird said.

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