Send me forward, says Hansen

NORTH Melbourne defender Lachie Hansen has forecast more time in the forward line after pinch-hitting as a replacement for Ben Warren against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Hansen, 21, went from his usual defensive post to a forward position after Warren broke his leg early in the first quarter of the MCG game.

He said he hoped he received an opportunity to capitalise on his modest stats of 1.2 and five marks when the Kangaroos took on the Sydney Swans this Sunday at the SCG.

"I hadn't really trained as a forward before. I was going to play down back, just helping out the backline on the weekend," Hansen told kangaroos.com.au.

"It was a bit different and it took a while for me to get into the game but I had a couple of shots on goal and started to get a feeling for what it is like to be up forward and it wasn't too bad.

"It's a different role but I had a bit more freedom to run around and go for my marks and stuff.

"I quite enjoyed it so hopefully I get another go next week, after I train up a bit more and learn some leading patterns and stuff."

Hansen said the improvement of defenders Scott Thompson, Nathan Grima and Josh Gibson had made his switch into attack possible.

"I'll play up forward now because the backline is pretty settled," he said.

"Scotty Thompson and 'Narni' (Grima) are doing real good jobs down there, and Gibbo too. Scotty is just the general down there. He's getting the good jobs every week and knocking them all over.

"'Narni' had his fifth game on the weekend and he's just doing his job and beating his man, and Gibbo is the oldest one down there with only 50 games.

"They've got those key positions sewn up so there's a spot up forward and I wouldn't mind taking it."

Hansen said his 19-and-a-half games spent predominantly in defence helped him make a smooth transition, as he knew what to expect from his opponent.

"I think it might help. I've always played defence and only played a couple of games up forward," he said.

"As a backman, you always lead and go with them when they lead, so I've got a general idea of where to go and hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get more time up there and kick a few goals."

Hansen has had plenty to do with new caretaker coach Darren Crocker, who until recently was in charge of the backline.

He said Crocker's performance on Sunday was well received by the players.

"Every time we came into the huddle, he was really positive and saying all the good things we were doing," Hansen said.

"He was really good. [He was] a bit different to Dean (Laidley) and it was actually pretty good to see a different face.

"All the boys really like him and he's doing a good job."

Hansen admitted it was a little strange to return from the mid-season break knowing Dean Laidley would not be there.

However, he said the change had revived his teammates and given them a new focus for the second half of the year.

"It was different because we didn't expect anything," he said.

"We were all a bit like, 'Whoa' when we found out. We had one training session with Darren before the break and then we came back and started all these new drills.

"It's actually a bit more fun because we're doing all this new stuff so all the boys get to training and are excited.

"There's a different feel around the place."