Lakers senior coach Dale Power has been instrumental in securing the veteran onballer, who played 16 games for the Swans last year.

Hutchinson has been appointed as Power's assistant for the 2019 campaign.

Power said Hutchinson had played his early football at the club - including his Ballarat Football League senior debut - and was a timely recruit given the loss of former coach and experienced defender Tim Malone.

Hutchinson won the league's highest individual honour in 2014, surprising many with his runaway six-vote win over Darley’s Steve Kennedy, dual medal winner Jason McNamara from North Ballarat City and Sunbury ruckman David Kovacevic.

Joe Carmody was announced as the Swans' new senior coach late last year, replacing Hutchinson who served in the role for two seasons.

Power is heading into his second season as Lake Wendouree coach and will be keen to improve on the side's elimination final exit in 2018.

The team finished sixth on the ladder before being knocked out of the premiership race by Melton.

Lake Wendouree has a tough start to the new season with a round one battle against reigning premiers East Point.

That clash - to be played at the Eastern Oval as the Kangaroos unfurl their premiership flag - is scheduled for Saturday, April 13.

The Lakers play their first home game in round three against Sebastopol on May 4.