Rory Lobb's career at the Western Bulldogs looked as good as dead.
Playing back-up for tall trio Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy up forward, a move to a fourth club was well and truly underway.
However, the shock move down back out of necessity (Liam Jones' absence) has caused the Bulldogs to go on an impressive run toward the finals, knocking off fellow contenders Carlton and Geelong in successive weeks.
Lobb's move into the defence has seen coach Luke Beveridge reap the rewards for his shrewd selection calls, especially against Cats star Jeremy Cameron, who was limited to one goal and six touches.
It goes to show that some key forwards have the capability of playing as dependable defenders, especially in a time of crisis, something Brisbane's Chris Fagan will hope is true.
Amid a defensive downpour of injuries to familiar faces, Fagan is genuinely considering playing Eric Hipwood or Joe Daniher as defenders in the 27th edition of the QClash.
"I'm considering all tall players that could potentially play tall back.ย Joe Daniher has played tall back before," Fagan said on Thursday.
"We could bring a tall forward from the reserves and move one of those guys (Hipwood or Daniher) back. Or both guys back there.
"There's a few things we could do."
The pair have spent limited time throughout their careers at the opposite end but could open a new possibility for the Lions, the same it has for the Dogs.
Fagan recalled young key forward Logan Morris as well as running defenders Jaxon Prior and Conor McKenna.
However, the likely Hipwood swing won't be the first time a coach has made a perceptive move mid-season.
Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton, GWS and North Melbourne in recent times have opted for the stark change that has more often than not transformed the side for the better.
Former Pies coach Nathan Buckley had both Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe at his disposal as lead-up forwards.
In 2016, Howe was moved to the opposite end of the field to help increase opposition turnovers and assist with bouncing out of the back half.
Moore was the same in 2018.
The pair have now cemented themselves as outright defensive stars for the black and white but have recently been trialled in positions of old as a cry of desperate times under Craig McRae.
Hawthorn's James Sicily lived a similar fate, starting initially as a key forward before being utilised as an intercept defender to good effect.
Current Bulldog Liam Jones lived a past life as a Blue, and also a Dog before that, but was seen differently in the eyes of the coaches.
After trading out the red, white and blue for the navy blue, Jones quickly became one of the game's best intercept defenders while playing for Carlton.
The move down back has translated to his new, yet old club, helping Beveridge sure up his defence.
And now,ย we're seeing Charlie Comben (North Melbourne) thrive in his new role down back.
Harry Himmelberg (GWS) has taken his game to a whole other level since lining up with the defensive six.
Even Mitch McGovern, who was destined to be a unicorn closer to the big sticks is better suited as the quarterback of Michael Voss' outfit.
It's safe to say that these once-concerning propositions have yielded beneficial results.
Will we be saying the same thing with Hipwood?
