He’s featured just about everywhere in his first 54 AFL games, but the next chapter in Jackson Merrett’s career could be written in defence.

The 23 year old has played predominantly as a midfielder or forward throughout his career.

But this pre-season he’s been working with the backline.

“It has been good, I’ve enjoyed it. It’s a fresh start, new stimulus, learning new things,” Merrett said.

“I’m still learning positioning and the structures down back but I’ve enjoyed it so far.” 

Merrett said Matt Dea and Martin Gleeson have provided guidance as he adjusts to life as a defender. 

“Their voice and instruction has been really good in helping me set up,” he said. 

“I just want to keep training hard, trying to improve on the areas I’m working on – run and carry off half-back – and try to learn as much of the back craft as I can."

Merrett was opposed to a number of the Bombers small forwards throughout match play at Tullamarine.

The Dons are ramping up their game simulation in the lead up to the start of the JLT Community Series

“There were some good chains out of stoppages, shaping it out and that made it really hard to defend when they’re coming at you really quickly with that overlap,” Merrett said. 

“The small forwards – Orazio (Fantasia), Walla, Travis Colyer – I thought their forward pressure was really good as well.”