PORTLAND’S 2023 South West Victorian Football Association (SWVFA) campaign will see the club take a markedly different form to the one which hoisted both the division one and two premiership cups aloft in 2022, with the most significant change to be at the top.

Last season’s coach of both the division one and two sides Jake Davies will still be a key part of the soccer club but in the more reduced capacity of assistant coach, with Stephen Von Tunk to take on the top job.

Von Tunk, who was also a key part of their successful campaign last year, said he is looking forward to the season ahead.

“I’m pretty excited for it… there’s a lot we have to work on but that’s all part of it,” he said.

“We’re the reigning premiers so we’ll certainly have a target on our backs, it’s something we’re going to have to adapt to.”

The Panthers will also have to adapt to some key personnel changes, with star striker Dylan Murray the most notable of their departures.

“Dylan was a really important player for us last season, but at the same time I know we’ve got other players who can step up when it counts,” Von Tunk said.

“Lachie Murray was also a really good goalkeeper for us in the twos and would step up to the ones where needed, he’s another guy who we’ll need to find a replacement for.

“I’m not really sure of our expectations to be honest, hopefully another trip to the finals but we’ll see how things pan out.”  

The league as a whole is also seeing a minor shake-up which is set to provide some more competition for the defending premiers.

Warrnambool Rangers are set to bring their entire club into the SWVFA after only having a division one side last year – with their number one team having played in the Ballarat competition.

As they’ll now field a division one and two side, it’s tough to know at this stage how this change will influence the complexion of the league going forward, but what’s absolutely certain is that the Panthers will have a fight on their hands as they search for back-to-back flags.

The SWVFA season will likely begin on April 30, with the home and away season to run through to the end of August.