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After four seasons at Lindisfarne, two premiership and one as skipper, Cassidy took over the reins from Daniel Willing, who masterminded back-to-back flags in 2018-19.

“Cass” believes he can keep the standard high in the eight-round season, starting with a new-look Hobart at the TCA ground at 2pm.

“Dan run a good ship so I’ve got big shoes to fill, but we’ve got no doubt that we should be up there again,” Cassidy said.

“We are looking at hopefully winning it again and we’ve got eight games to find out where we are at but we’re shaping up pretty well.”

There is added weight as a playing-coach of a successful club.

“I’ve definitely got a lot of pressure on me so I’ve put some good people around me,” Cassidy said.

“They will take care of things so hopefully I don’t have too much off-field stuff to worry about while I’m playing.”

Cassidy’s right-hand man is former State League player Jason Elmer, who is Lindisfarne’s new bench coach.

“He’s got a lot of knowledge in footy so I can bounce things off him at quarter-time and halftime and then be able to go there and just play,” Cassidy said.

The Two Blues retained the bulk of their premiership crew.

“We lost Troy Cunliffe and Luke Swinton to the TSL. They wanted to have another crack at that, which is good to see,” Cassidy said.

“We’ve still got a lot of good players and I am expecting good things from them.”

In other round one games, Dodges Ferry hosts Claremont at Shark Park (2pm), New Norfolk is at home to Huonville Lions (2.30) and Brighton plays Sorell at Pontville (3pm).

CLUB BY CLUB

Brighton

Coach – Byron Howard

Captain – Dylan Ford

2019 finish – in Recess

Gains: Connor Salter, Joel Millhouse, Adrian Peach, Kelvin Richards, Lynden Carlton, Josh Davie, Pat Vout, Lachlan Daniels, Tyler Downham (Glenorchy), Brodie Johnstone, Leigh Thompson, Josh Nelson (Richmond) Ricky Chapple, Jak Chapple (SVC), Josh Jordan, Baxter Lewis, Kobe McCauley, Brady Hayden (Clarence), Alex Blair, Joseph Bangura (Geelong West Giants), Josh Nus (Clarence) Daniel Robottom, Nic Barker (Hobart), Sam Thomas (Oatlands), Jordy Byers (Mt Pleasant), Jackson Douglas (Currie) Jai Read, Jeremy Trinder, Liam Cashion, Jordan Percey, Mitch Ford (Bothwell), Jack Gallahar (North Hobart), Chris Claridge (Forth) Josh Mason (retirement).

Coach’s comment:Our main focus has been to ensure the Brighton Football Club survives after the Senior side went into recess in 2019. We have recruited players who have previously played at Brighton or have a connection with the club. Our group are young, keen, and ready to go after such a strange 2020 and we look forward to representing our community.

Claremont

Coach – Luke Potter

Captain – Jack Crossin

2019 finish – 6th

Gains: Scott Jones, Kaden Salter, Ryan Bosworth, Connar Walker, Bayley Bester, Braydon Pace, Aaron Percy, Jordon Stacey, Tristan Penneyston, Chris Denny, Justin Brown, Kyle Smith, Zac Webb.

Coach’s comments: After many unexpected interruptions he season is almost here. The boys are super keen to get out there and get stuck into it. Lots of new faces with the guys fitting in well.

Cygnet

Coach – Ben Cato

Captain – TBA

2019 finish – 4th

Gains: Thor Boscott (Lauderdale), Jack Tammens (University), Jordan Lane (Tigers), Jayden Appleby (Hutchins), Ben McDermott (Tigers), Harry Thomas (OHA)

Coach’s comments: As a club we are really happy with the four or five quality senior players that have signed up for 2020 along with some depth through our reserves. There is a really fresh vibe around our club, and we can’t wait to get started. Our aim is to keep improving, work hard and enjoy our football in 2020.

Dodges Ferry

Coach – Brent Dolliver

Captain – Mark Cusick

2019 finish – 3rd

Gains: Eden Bailey, Blake Anderton (Richmond), Tim Daff (Lauderdale), Kurt Styles (Lindisfarne), Alex Sweet, Kurt Flynn (Triabunna), Jack Martin (Clarence), Sam Youl (Basketball), Damian Rose, Trent Rogers (Bothwell), Nick Clark (Swansea)

Coach’s comments: It has been a long pre-season, but the boys are looking forward to the season finally starting. This season shapes as a very close competition, every team has been strengthened over the off season and we will all need to be on our game in a shortened season. Hopefully, we can be thereabouts come finals time.

Hobart

Coach – Alex Gilmour

Captain – Tim Lewinski

2019 finish – 8th

Gains: Alex Gilmour, Brad Joseph, Luke Adams, Kobey Phillips, Chris Hutchison, Aaron Kaye, Tim Clark, Ashton Arnold, Jack Adams (Richmond), James Caulfield (North Hobart), Will Dean (Kingborough Tigers), Liam Smith (Wynyard).

Coach’s comments: I have been rapt with the progression of the group since I have arrived. They completed a huge workload over summer and since returning post COVID we’ve focused heavily on our ball movement patterns which has come on in leaps and bounds. We understand we are coming from a long way back but we’ve added some top line recruits to assist the core group that were currently at the club and we believe we’ve assembled a list strong enough to be really competitive each week.

Lindisfarne

Senior coach – Michael Cassidy

Captains – Brad Tennick and Kieren Rodgers

2019 finish – Premiers

Gains: Jack Gleeson (year off), Matt Triffett (Campainia), Kurt Polanowski, Dane Bailey (Richmond) Mitch Harrod (NSW) Jimmy Mitchell (Bridgenorth)

Coach’s comments: The boys are keen to get stuck into it. We have trained well over the pre- season, and have some good young men coming through who will play some senior footy at some stage.

New Norfolk

Coach – Josh Clifford

Captain – Jacob Wigg

2019 finish – 5th

Gains: Tyron Rainbird (Cairns), Nathan Lester (St. Virgil’s), Nic Clayton, Nick Benson, Bryan Chaplin, Bradley Chaplin, Ryan Browne, Tyler Ford, Nathan Ford, James Shearing, Jamie Sokoloski (Bothwell), Rhys Heald (Richmond), Corey Lovell, Clinton Curtain (Campania), Michael Murray, Josh Kelly (Oatlands), Jake Bearman, Jack Hills (Glenorchy).

Coach’s comments: The club has had a positive and long pre-season. We have recruited some exciting players while retaining the majority of our 2019 playing group. This sets us up for a good season with a mixture of experience and new blood, which we are excited about. I am personally looking forward to what this young group can achieve in 2020, but our focus is to improve on last season and take the next step.

Huonville Lions

Coach – Tim Lamprill

Captains – Callum Rawson and James Mcindoe

2019 finish – 2nd

Gains: Jack Philp (Cairns Saints), Brandon Batchelor (Aspley NEAFL), Thomas Keygan (Cairns City Lions), Brody Johnson, Michael Paul, Alex Vincent, Dylan Hay, Brody Penney, Jordan Phillips (Kingborough Tigers), Wade Booth, Aaron Daly, Nathan Rollins, Andrew Moody, Ryan Thomas, (Mitchell Byers (Mt Pleasant)

Coach’s comments: After a long pre-season where the boys have worked really hard under the circumstances, we have been training really well now that we can utilise the whole ground. We have gained some quality players to add to our group from last year and look to build on 2019.

Sorell

Coach – Michael McGregor

Captain – Jack Johnstone

2019 finish – 7th

Gains: Scott Jackson (Lauderdale), Brayden Mayne (London Swans), Shaun Williams (St Virgils), Joel Poke (Circular Head Giants), Reyne Westbury (Overseas), Michael Palmer (University).

Coach’s comments: Whilst it has been a very different lead up to a season we have had a very good (and long) preparation with an injection of some experienced players and the continual development of our young players we are looking forward to seeing some improvement from last season.

james.bresnehan@news.com.au