The oldest trick in the book is taking a maligned key forward and swinging them back to make the most of their athletic potential.
It can work for a spurt, but it can also lead to an up-and-down career, which leads to the player never looking comfortable in one set position.
That has been the case for Collingwood's Daniel McStay, Carlton's Mitch McGovern and Melbourne's Harrison Petty.
Previously, all had shown glimpses of potential as damaging key forwards, before eventually being sent back to defend after poor runs of form.
The trio of players have been maligned by fans across the league and even from their own club's supporter base. But things appear to have finally clicked for all three players in the second half of the 2026 season.
McStay has emerged as one of the best key forwards in the league as Collingwood's resurgence into a scoring powerhouse has stunned onlookers.
In the absence of Bobby Hill and Jamie Elliott, McStay has stepped up and booted a career-high 41 goals from 21 games.
The former Lion has been impacting matches around the ground, clunking contested marks and using his physical presence.
However, for the first time in his career, he is making an equal impact forward, booting 18 goals in his past six games.
McStay's previous best goal tally in a season was 28 for Brisbane in 2021.
Melbourne's Petty is another who can relate to hitting the best form of his career across the previous two months.
Alongside the Demons' hot form, Petty has emerged as a genuine target up forward and a partner in crime for young gun Jacob van Rooyen.
Petty has booted 16 goals in his past six games and was pivotal in last round's thrilling victory over ladder-leader Fremantle at the MCG.
The 26-year-old has been swung back and forth from forward to defence consistently over his nine-year career, but perhaps this run of games and confidence under new coach Steven King can see Petty finally secure a position inside 50.
Arguably, the most maligned of the lot by his own supporter base has been McGovern.
Since making the move from Adelaide to Carlton at the end of 2018, McGovern has been one of the many whipping boys at the Blues.
However, the 31-year-old is having his best season to date for Carlton.
McGovern has booted a career-high 33 goals for the Blues this season and is leading the club's goal-kicking.
After spending previous seasons as a third key defender, McGovern has been kept as a permanent forward in 2026 after the club lost superstar Charlie Curnow last year.
The move has paid dividends, as a settled McGovern has performed consistently for Carlton. Both during the atrocious 1-8 run and in its miraculous 10-2 turnaround.
