But a small club with a big heart is striving to extend its stint atop Hampden league’s pinnacle.

Koroit is hoping a change of mentor and minor adjustments to an already dangerous squad will help it add a fourth straight premiership to its collection in 2017.

Chris McLaren is Saints’ royalty and returns to a coaching post with extra knowledge garnered through recent roles with TAC Cup club Greater Western Victoria Rebels and as Hampden interleague leader.

He replaces the man credited with leading Koroit to the past three flags – the well-regarded Adam Dowie – and inherits a list littered with top-end talent.

The addition of former Terang Mortlake midfielder Damian O’Connor as an assistant coach should prove invaluable on and off the field.

O’Connor, a battle-hardened match-winner, will be refreshed after a season out of the sport and be another dangerous link in a midfield already boasting two-time Maskell Medal winner Isaac Templeton.

Koroit will confront a number of challengers to its flag defence – namely 2016 runner-up North Warrnambool Eagles, talent-stacked Port Fairy and youthful Cobden.

South Warrnambool is chasing a return to the finals following a strong recruiting drive which targeted ex-Roosters and netted former St Kilda midfielder Josh Saunders straight out of the AFL system.

The Seagulls and Bombers have added polish to their lists in a bid to take the next step too.

VFL-calibre duo Matt Sully and Sandy Robinson will add height to the Seagulls’ ranks, while former Maskell Medal winner Joe Dare could play a major role for the Bombers up forward after recovering from a knee reconstruction.

The one-time Carlton rookie will join his brothers Reuben, new coach Levi and emerging forward Dominic at Cobden.

2016 top three

1st: North Warrnambool

2nd: Koroit

3rd: Warrnambool

2016 Maskell Medal

1st: Levi Dare (26)

2nd: Isaac Templeton (20)

3rd: Phil Carse, Jackson Hollmer (18)

Past 10 premiers*

2016: Koroit

2015: Koroit

2014: Koroit

2013: Warrnambool

2012: Warrnambool

2011: South Warrnambool

2010: Warrnambool

2009: Koroit

2008: Terang Mortlake

2007: Koroit

Past 10 Maskells

2016: Levi Dare

2015: Isaac Templeton

2014: Isaac Templeton

2013: Ben Goodall

2012: Sam Chapman, Levi Dare, Joe Dare, Tim Hunt

2011: Simon O’Keefe, Rhys Raymond

2010: Levi Dare, Liam Ryan

2009: Josh Walters

2008: Liam Ryan

2007: Simon O’Keefe

2016 coaches

Senior football: Phil Carse (Camperdown), Levi Dare (Cobden), Matt Dunn (Hamilton Kangaroos), Chris McLaren (Koroit), Graeme Twaddle, Rory Taggert (North Warrnambool Eagles), Brett Evans (Port Fairy), Luke Crane (Portland), Mat Buck (South Warrnambool), Michael Sargeant (Terang Mortlake), John Cook (Warrnambool).

BIG EXPECTATIONS: Cobden footballer Levi Dare and Port Fairy netballer Carly Watson, who won the league best and fairests last season, are expecting big things from their respective Hampden league clubs in 2017. Picture: Rob Gunstone