The defender found some rich form this season for the West Coast Rangers, playing every minute of their 25 games, bringing up her 50th cap and topping it off by being named players’ player.
But when the Auckland side failed to qualify for the National Women’s League — they missed out by one point to Ellerslie — Porteous knew she would have to look elsewhere if she wanted to test herself.
Unable to play for another Auckland Club, Porteous’ coach reached out to Southern United coach Kris Ridley on behalf of some Rangers players wanting to push for a spot in the national league.
They traded game tapes and Ridley liked what he saw, signing Porteous and fellow Rangers midfielder Kendrah Smith and Shania McIntosh for Southern.
"I’d had a really good season," Porteous said.
"It was good to feel like I was playing well ... I really improved this season.
"It was kind of cool to be able to build on that. Obviously, national league is that step, and the opportunity to play at a higher level, and keep developing."
While it had been a "little bit weird" pulling on a new kit after being with the Rangers — who formed through the amalgamation of Waitakere and Norwest — for 15 years, Porteous had settled into her new surroundings, thanks to the warm embrace from Southern.
"All the girls are absolutely lovely. All the coaching staff, everyone that helps out, is so welcoming and helpful.
"I love the team — they’re awesome."
Porteous, 19, is no stranger to top-level football, having previously won the under-16 national title with Northern football and the national under-19 crown with the Rangers last year.
But the national league had been another step up again, and she was loving challenging herself against a higher standard of player and competition.
Southern has made a solid start to the league. They put on a gutsy display in their opening 1-0 loss to defending champions Eastern Suburbs and bounced back to record a dominant 5-0 win against newcomers Wellington Phoenix reserves last week.
It was a comprehensive win — and one that was "totally unexpected", she said.
"Totally stoked — that was awesome.
"Everyone just worked so well together on the field and we were just like one big unit, which was great to see.
"We walked in thinking that was going to be a really, really hard game and then to get such a result [was great]."
It does not get any easier for Southern when they face Kate Sheppard Cup champions Western Springs at Logan Park tomorrow.
The Auckland club sit at the top of the national ladder, thumping Central 8-0 in the opening game and Ellerslie 3-0 last weekend.
Southern will need to shut down the league’s red-hot top goal scorer Sofia Garcia, who has found the back of the net five times in the opening two rounds.
But as long as Southern remains connected, Porteous has faith in them to capitalise on last week’s win.
"We’ve got to kind of keep working as a team, keep that communication up.
"We also just have to keep that intensity, like pressing high, working together, dropping for each other and covering each other."
