Refreshed and dependable hooker Tommy Butterfield has joined the Sunshine Coast Falcons after spending one season at West Brisbane Panthers.

Butterfield asked for a release from Easts Tigers last year after gaining a promotion at work and struggling to balance the rigours of Intrust Super Cup with work and family life.

The 31-year-old said he thoroughly enjoyed playing for the Panthers, under former Falcons coach Craig Ingebrigtsen, and during the year regained his love of footy.

"Last year was a great year... obviously it was disappointing we didn't end up making the grand final, considering we finished minor premiers, but it was a great year," Butterfield said.

"My love of the game really came back. I enjoyed getting to play footy with a lot of mates. Yeah, it was a really enjoyable year."

Butterfield, whose young son Manix plays for Redcliffe Dolphins, said he joined the Falcons in January after a call from new coach Sam Mawhinney saying there was an opportunity to take up the hooker role.

"I'm definitely excited about playing Cup again," Butterfield said.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back into that level again. Definitely missed it a little bit last year. I can't wait."

Butterfield, who is "not the greatest vegan, but doing my best", said pre-season had "been good, but hard" and the Falcons' two trial games had been a good test for the squad.

"Overall, it has been really good. Good to be back and getting involved in the real physical, full-on training," Butterfield said.

"The body is feeling good. A bit sore, but good."

Tommy Butterfield highlights

Now, he is ready to rip in. And for him, he cannot wait to do it against his old club Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 1. And when they play for the James Ackerman Cup in Round 15.

The James Ackerman Cup was founded in 2016 following the tragic death of Falcons front rower, James 'Ackers' Ackerman, who passed away after a match at Bishop Park in 2015. Butterfield was a close friend of Ackers.

"I'm really looking forward to Round 1. Being able to represent James with the JA8 on the jersey is a big thing for me," Butterfield said, adding the last time he played with Ackerman was in the 2012 grand final, when they both played for Redcliffe.

"I'll be doing my best to be in the team somewhere. I'll continue to train hard to be there for that Round 1 clash."