GREATER Western Sydney youngster Curtly Hampton is hoping to become the latest in a long line of footballers to forge a career after successfully switching positions.
In June, 2010, the Giants kept a host of would-be suitors at bay by snapping up the highly-rated Hampton as one of their first signings.
Compared with Adelaide great Andrew McLeod, Hampton was regarded as a skilled athletic forward, and that's where he began his AFL career.
He would play the opening six games in GWS' inaugural season, kicking seven straight behinds before notching five goals in a two-game stretch against the Crows and Western Bulldogs.
But Hampton wasn't quite adhering to team principles.
It came to a head in round nine against Essendon when he attempted an audacious shot on goal rather than centre the ball for a teammate, and the teenager would spend the next month in the reserves.
It led to a re-think from the Giants' brains trust, who decided to move Hampton into defence.
It had the desired effect, with Hampton playing the final 10 matches of the season in the backline, where his skills became an instant asset.
"I'd never played in the backline before, so I'm obviously working on my defensive skills," the 20-year-old told AFL.com.au.
"I got signed as a forward and kicked a few goals – and a lot of points – but they thought I wasn't getting involved in the play as much as I should be.
"To use my speed and skill they put me on the back flanks.
"I really enjoyed it in the second half of the year. I played a fair few games and got more of the ball and got involved with the play."
The AFL is littered with players who made successful moves, including Adelaide games record-holder McLeod, who kicked 235 goals over his first 11 seasons with the Crows before ending his career in defence.
Richmond's five-time premiership player Francis Bourke was a 185cm winger, the same height as Hampton, who also moved into defence, famously nullifying Carlton's Alex Jesaulenko in the Tigers' 1973 Grand Final victory.
Brownlow medallist Bernie Quinlan, full-back of the century Steve Silvagni and All Australian defender Ben Rutten are others to have thrived when changing positions.
Hampton, who hasn't attracted the spotlight afforded to teammates such as Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene or Steve Coniglio, could be set for a breakout year following a full pre-season in defence.
"Curtly's had a fantastic pre-season and his back half of last year really showed he can play defence and be that running, attacking half-back flanker that all clubs love to have," GWS senior assistant coach Leon Cameron said.
"It's great that he can switch from forward into the backline and adjust.
"We're looking forward to more of that this year and there's no reason why that's not going to happen because his pre-season has been exceptional."
While the Giants are delighted with Hampton's progress, he has also shown faith in the club's direction, recently extending his contract until the end of 2016.
"I've been here two-and-a-half years and I'm really starting to enjoy it and find my way around," said Hampton, a member of this year's indigenous All Stars team.
"I can see – not just in a few years, but this year or next year – that we're going to be a good team.
"I've trained all pre-season with the backline, I'll be there this year, and I'm really enjoying it."
Curtly Hampton is a defender in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 53.59 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
