JEREMYHowe says he sees his foreseeable future as a defender, after making the switchfrom attack earlier in the year – coincidentally against GWS – Melbourne’sopponent for round 20.

Howehas adapted strongly to the role and been a fine player down back this season.But as the high-flying forward/midfielder said it had been “a fair change”.

“It’sa role that I’ve slowly started building into and I’ve really enjoyed my timedown there,” he told Dee TV.

“Ifeel like I’m staying involved in games a lot more consistently and that comesfrom the guys that I’m playing with down there – guys like Garlo (ColinGarland), Dunny (Lynden Dunn) and Tommy McDonald, who are consistentperformers.

“They’vehelped me and nurtured me into the role that I’m playing now and I’m reallyenjoying it.”

Howesaid upon reflection, he had relished the switch from forward to defence in2014.

“Ispoke to Roosy (Paul Roos) halfway through the year and we were going through fourto six week blocks about where I was going to play,” he said.

“Wedecided I was going to finish the season playing half-back and it’s probablybeen one of my more consistent years.

“Youmiss the forward line a little bit, but at the moment I’m happy with playing inthe backline.”

Howesaid he had to “put away” some of his spectacular marks as “the consequenceswere a little bit higher if you dropped those big grabs in the defensive half”.

“I’llstill go for my marks, if I think I can get them, but the spectacular ones areprobably in the back pocket for a little bit longer,” he said.

“I’vedefinitely taken to ‘playing my role’ a lot more for the team, playing downback.

“Itook for granted how hard the backs actually do it, so being down there isactually a good learning curve for me and hopefully I can finish out the yearwith a few good games.”