Last weekend’s VFL contest saw a change of role for several young Magpies as they aim to improve their development in the second half of the season.??

While most eyes were locked on Jack Anthony’s best on ground performance as a defender (vote on Anthony's best position), there were a number of his teammates who found themselves excelling in different parts of the ground.??

Collingwood development coach Luke Beveridge explained the importance of trying to develop players to handle a range of positions in their first few years at an AFL club.??

“During the period when Browny (Gavin Brown) and I oversee their improvement it’s important to develop them to be able to handle several positions,” Beveridge told collingwoodfc.com.au during the week.??

“We try to mix it up and give them more strings to their bow.  They need to learn how to play more than one position.  All this is done in collaboration with Mick.”??

Supporters watching Sunday’s 39-point win (read the player-by-player review) saw Simon Buckley play a role up forward, a change for the 23-year-old who had previously played 21 games as a running defender for Melbourne.

“The reason why we changed Simon’s role on Sunday is we thought playing him up forward, the game would throw up those situations where he was forced to display the improvements we are looking for.”??

Coming off a hip operation at the end of 2009, Buckley has played six games for the VFL this year and has averaged 22 disposals from the halfback position.??

Buckley handled the move up forward with aplomb as he was named in the side’s best racking up 31 possessions, nine marks and seven inside 50s.??

“There were several areas that we wanted to observe in Simon’s game.??

“We wanted to look at his discipline defensively in our half of the ground and how he held our structure and stuck to a team ethos.?

“We wanted to see what he did, decision-making wise with the footy, when he had it forward of the centre.??

“We also wanted to see what he does with his run and how he uses his pace when his back is towards goal.? ?

“He showed he could play a role as a forward at VFL level.  Whether he continues playing that new role is something we will discuss later this week.”

Beveridge believes that by developing a player’s portfolio to incorporate a multitude of positions it increases the chances of longevity at the club.  If a player’s range widens, the match committee will have more options at the selection table and the pressure on spots above swells.??

“If they can excel in another area of the ground it gives them more scope when the coaches are thinking of elevating them to the senior side.??

“Ben Reid is a good example of a Collingwood player who has had a role change.  He started as a forward, worked on his game down back in the VFL and once he got his chance to return to the AFL level, he hasn’t looked back.”