Players who changed roles to good effect

[Shaneprice97]

Whether it be for 1 game, 1 season or a few seasons.

As an example, i remember Daniel Merrett changing from full back to full forward and kicking 7 goals one game.

I heard Brodie Smith mostly played on the wing before this season, and then he played back flank more regularly this season and became an AA backman.

Im sure there is a few ripper role changes made from coaches that have payed off.

 

[Cyril the Squirrel]

Brent Guerra. Goal sneak for port and saints.. Became a pivotal small rebounding defender in 2 premierships for the hawks.

 

[Baird]

Leon Davis fell out of favour as a forward in 2010, moved to defence and made the All Australian team.

 

[The GOAT]

Pavlich. Key back to key forward to midfield to key forward.

 

[BM123]

Andrew Walker went forward in 2011 and kicked 56 goals.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Burgoyne transitioning to a defender after playing most(?) of his career as a midfielder.

 

[BoxMatrix]

Hodge. Midfielder to half back.

 

[treefingers]

Gaz Jnr moving to the midfield was a wise career move

 

[dogs105]

Any failed Tall forward who suddenly discovered that playing down back was easier.

Rutten, Bock, McGregor, McCartney, Grundy ......

 

[Tiff]

Mundy.

 

[Righteo]

Tarrant went from flaky FF to one of the best key defenders in the comp in his last few years. Not sure whether Scott or Harves deserved the credit but it was a great move.

 

[The GOAT]

Many small forwards who attended the odd centre bounce have transitioned to full-time mids with great success. Some include Gary Ablett Jnr, Robbie Gray, Steve Johnson and Luke Parker.

 

[tangolikelama]

Robbie Gray spending more time in the middle has been huge... still unbelievably dangerous up forward

 

[Chewy316]

Chad Cornes moving from the forward line to CHB in 2004 was a masterstroke. He then moved into the midfield a few years later and was damaging there too.

 

[Andrew Mc]

Pavlich. Key back to key forward to midfield to key forward.

Yeah, Pav is a good example over his career. Goodes has moved around in a similar fashion, including ruck.

In the context of a single game, LRT went from forward to back in the 2012 GF and starred in both roles.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Mark Nicoski was a running half back flanker before injuries cut him down, came back as a dangerous forward.

Really though, if you can play football you tend to be able to play anywhere on the park (height permitting).

 

[Cashmoney13]

G̶a̶r̶y̶ ̶R̶o̶h̶a̶n̶

bit rough on him really, but ah well

 

[Confuscius]

Fraser Gehrig was pretty handy after making the switch forward.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Sam Rowe becoming a key defender
Chris Yarran going to the backline

In years gone by, SOS used to go forward to great effect on many occasions.

 

[LukasTheGreat]

Brian Lake. Started as a forward and now he's an AA, two time premiership Full Back.

 

[Baird]

Andrew Walker went forward in 2011 and kicked 56 goals.

and then he went back to defence

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

Jarrod Harbrow was a flakey small forward before moving to the backline and doing enough to earn a big contract from Gold Coast.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

McGovern, lead the league in contested marks as a forward, then went back and was so good he stopped McKenzie getting AA. Bow to your new master.

 

[Extortion Threat]

Burgoyne transitioning to a defender after playing most(?) of his career as a midfielder.

Burgoyne actually started as a forward, then played defense for a couple of years including 2004. Then moved to the midfield for his last 3-4 years at Port. Shaun has always been versatile, was already a great defender when he came to Hawthorn.

Broadbent moving from midfield/forward flank to half back flank has been a success.

 

[CrowAboutIt]

McLeod moving to the HBF.. revolutionised the game