Lindisfarne prepare to move up the ladder in 2024

Ahead of his second season as Lindisfarne coach, Trey Westbury has given an insight to why he’s better prepared, the new recruits and an even SFL competition in 2024.

Trey Westbury is excited about Lindisfarne this season. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Trey Westbury is feeling a lot calmer in the Lindisfarne hot seat 12 months on.

In February last year, he was thrown into the top job of the then Southern Football League reigning premier after the departure of Michael Cassidy giving him only several weeks to prepare for the new season.

The Two Blues would eventually see their season ended in the semi-finals after finishing third on the ladder with a 7-7 record.

Now after having had an entire off-season to prepare, Westbury feels he and the club are in a much stronger position.

“We’re probably five steps ahead of where we were,” he said.

“That was just a matter of the circumstances we had last year but the club and everyone around me was fully supportive of getting the season up and running.

“From the moment last year ended, I’ve been able to put a greater focus on the list. That’s meant retaining our playing list and looking to add others where we could.

“It’s all been going well at the moment. Pre-season has been good to this point, we’re just excited for the season to get started now.”

Logan Hovington. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

While they might not have been active as other SFL clubs, the Two Blues have been astute in their recruiting.

Sam Adams, a premiership star in 2022, will return to the fold after a year off.

He’ll be joined by former Lauderdale pair Dylan Fyfe and Ed Stanley.

The major loss has been the return of Josh Green to Clarence for the Tasmanian State League season.

“We didn’t feel like we needed to make too many changes,” he said.

“The three boys we’ve brought in will probably be definites if they’re fully fit and we’ve got a few other guys who will be around the cusp.

“As a coach, you’re always wanting to see some internal development as well which creates more pressure on spots.”

While the SFL structure is set to change in 2025 with the TSL set to disbandon, Westbury said he is excited about what the competition could produce this year.

“I think anything can happen every week,” he said.

“The difference between the top sides especially isn’t as much as some people might think. I think the closeness of the competition has been key in us retaining players as much.

“Guys don’t want to play in a league where there might only be one or two dominant sides.”

Lindisfarne will play several practice matches ahead of the new season including two intraclubs.

They’ll also face North Hobart and OHA.