Jordan Roughead believes his time up forward has given him the transferable skills to become a threatening key defender.

Roughead has demonstrated his capacity to adapt to the team’s needs, playing a range of roles across the Western Bulldogs’ spine in his four years at the Club – but looks set to establish his role as a key defender in 2013.

While he has predominantly been rotating between the ruck and forward line in his career, he said his goal-kicking apprenticeship has put him in good stead for the new role.

"It's amazing how much is relevant as a forward that you can still use as a defender,” Roughead told The Herald Sun.

"Some people call it the 'Men's Department', some people say there's not much glory down there, but I love playing down there.

"In my end of season review I was told that it was likely I'd be down in the backline so be prepare to come back for pre-season and learn some new things.”

The highly competitive key-tall has also benefited this pre-season from the appointment of ex-Premiership Geelong full back Matthew Scarlett as a specialist coach at the Club.

"You can't get much better can you? A six-time All-Australian to teach you the tricks of the trade," he said.

Playing the final six games of the 2012 season honing his defensive craft, Roughead showed a real aptitude in his new role.

His ability to position himself at a contest to spoil and deflect the ball saw him finish the year ranking third in average one percenters at the Club – despite limited exposure in the back line.

Roughead’s aim for 2013 is to remain accountable for the full four quarters and develop into a competitive, uncompromising beast.

"The key things for me are just to compete the whole time,” he said.

"There's times where you're not going to be able to get there and spoil.

“There's times when you're going to lose your man in a pack, but just to compete as hard as you can and really attack the footy."