Fremantle Dockers forward Jesse Hogan is set to make the positional move to defence amid injuries to several key position backmen.
The former Demon was picked up by Dockers in 2018 with hopes of becoming their next big forward.
However, the Dockers are yet to see the best of Hogan after a second major foot injury last year and mental health problems.
The 25-year old hasn't played since Round 5 after injuring his calf but has been training as a defender in recent weeks.
Coach Justin Longmuir is aware of the risk to play Hogan in defence but believes it is necessary due to the likeliness that Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and Griffin Logue won't play again in 2020.
โWeโre undersized in our backline,โ Longmuir said.
โHe wants to do it, heโs put his hand up to do it. How long that takes to upskill him to play in our backline - weโll have to wait and see.
โBut heโs had some minutes in the reserves today and executed some stuff pretty well, so weโll look at that."
Justin Longmuir on Jesse Hogan playing down back:
Thatโs the plan at this stage. Heโs indicated and weโd like him to go back. Weโre obviously undersized down back ... heโs played down back as a junior. #AFLFreoHawks
— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) August 10, 2020
Longmuir said that he doesn't see Hogan as a defender long term but it may help develop him more as a player.
โItโs going to be a little bit of a risk because weโre not going to get a lot of opportunity to play against another opposition in an 18 on 18 format.
โSo we have to be creative with the way we educate him, with the way we give him opportunities to train as a back. And at some stage weโre just going to have to throw him in.โ
There is a chance Hogan will play against Carlton next Saturday, while now healthy star midfielder Michael Walters is likely to replace Travis Colyer (hamstring injury).
Jesse Hogan into defence?
You better believe it @freodockers fans. Club coach Justin Longmuir confirmed the move while speaking to @ClintWheeldon on ABC Grandstand. #foreverfreo #AFL https://t.co/oWGb0A8p2D
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) August 10, 2020