Whether it be a tactical integration taking shape over a number of years, a last-ditch effort to revive a player's career, or a short-term fix that turns into something more, AFL clubs are no strangers to the growing practice of a positional shake-up.
With the likes of Isaac Heeney, Rory Lobb, Nick Blakey, Kyle Langford and Ben Keays all transitioning successfully into new roles over recent years, we thought we'd delve into the biggest positional switches heading into the 2025 season.
3. Dan Curtin
Key Utility to Midfield
Although only seven games into his AFL career, utility Dan Curtin looks primed to make his mark through the middle in 2025.
Curtin plied his trade in defence throughout his junior career and upon his debut AFL season was shifted between both defensive and attacking lines. The 19-year-old is set to add to his growing football repertoire as he continues his pre-season training amongst the Crows' midfield group.
As a big-bodied, 190-plus-centimetre left-footer it is easy to see the parallels between Curtin and fellow Crow Jordan Dawson. These parallels are only magnified once we remember how Dawson himself had once transformed from a defender at the Swans to an elite inside midfielder with Adelaide.
With Dawson to turn to for guidance, Curtin himself has expressed how fortunate he is to have the two-time best and fairest winner in his corner.
"Being a taller midfielder he is somebody I really admire, and I'm so fortunate to be able to learn off him as I continue to get my head around the new role," he said, per afc.com.au.
Curtin's move will also play a significant part in changing the long-held narrative that the Crows midfield is 'bland' and too 'one-paced'. With Curtin's 197cm frame joining the midfield fray and Izak Rankine expected to spend more time through the middle, the Crows' midfield is already looking far more dynamic and exciting heading into 2025.
