AS A coach, Luke Beveridge does things a little bit differently.

Whether it's quoting children's author 'Dr Seuss' in speeches, or comparing the game's rules to comedy series 'Fawlty Towers', you never quite know what to expect from the premiership mentor.

But that tendency to surprise was no more evident than recently, with Beveridge employing midfielders to regularly contest the ruck in the absence of injured big men Jordan Roughead and Tom Campbell.

Lin Jong was one of the ball winners tasked with helping Tom Boyd combat the giants of the AFL, and the athletic 23-year-old didn't mind one bit.

"I'm not there to win hit-outs, as long as I compete and once the ball lands on the ground I'm just like another midfielder," Jong told reporters on Tuesday.

"I guess it's been a pretty good transition, (the coaches) know what they want of me and I know what to do."

While he's been busy adding another string to his bow, Jong has also established himself in the Dogs' best line-up.

The former rookie, who is averaging 20 possessions and five tackles a game in 2017, adds a point of difference to the premier's on-ball division as he has explosive pace to burst away from a stoppage.

After missing out on the club's drought-breaking flag last season, Jong is keen to remain part of the premiership defence after playing just 48 games in six seasons at Whitten Oval.

"I'm just adding versatility to my game. I didn't think I'd be playing in the ruck that much in the AFL, but it's going OK," he said.

"I feel like I've been a lot more consistent, in terms of my last few years I've been a bit in and out (of the team).

"I don't feel comfortable thinking I'm a walk-up start (in the side), so I put that pressure on myself every week and I feel that's why I'm playing more consistently.

"The hurt of missing out (on the Grand Final), I guess, makes you want it that little bit more."

With the Dogs sitting eighth ahead of a massive clash against St Kilda on Saturday, Jong thinks he knows what the coach is talking about when he curiously compared the side's up and down form this season to an episode of the sci-fi television series The X Files.

"I haven't really seen the The X Files, but I'd imagine he is referring to our consistency throughout four quarters," he said.

"There are things like skill errors and sometimes the other teams are playing really well, but we haven't quite put our finger on it, so we're working to find our best form."