Western Bulldogs rookie Jack Redpath says he is refreshed by the recent move to defence, and his recent VFL form shows.

Drafted as a forward powerhouse from Kyneton, Redpath has been trialled at both ends of the ground this season and said he is relishing the new challenge.

“I think Mac just wanted to see how I would go in a different position on the ground,” Redpath said.

“It sort of worked out pretty well, I am really enjoying it down there and I think I am playing the best footy I have in a couple of years.”

While his initial focus is developing his defensive craft and learning to shut down more experienced opponents, Redpath believes he is capable of creating more rebounding plays in future.

“I like to say that I can lock down and stop them, I haven’t had too many goals kicked on me yet, so I have done reasonably well,” he said.

“But I don’t want to be just a lock down defender, I think I’m a reasonable kick so I’d like to get the ball and use my legs every now and then.

“Then again you don’t want to get too many goals against, so I’d like to stop my man first and then work off him.”

Working hard on his endurance over the pre-season, Redpath has dropped weight since the beginning of the year, which he said has been beneficial.

“At the moment I am sitting at about 98kg, which is really good,” he said.

“I’ve still got my strength, still just as fast as I was, skin folds are down and I am at where I want to be right now to play the best footy I can.”