DEFENDER Jared Rivers says he doesn’t expect to spend much time up forward in the future, despite playing the second half in attack last round.

Rivers moved up forward to assist key forward Mitch Clark and another defender-turned-forward, Colin Garland, against Collingwood at the MCG on Queen’s Birthday.

Although the former vice-captain kicked a goal and provided another tall avenue up forward, he said circumstances led to his placing up forward.

“I think it was just that game to be honest. There wasn’t really a match up for me, so they just threw things around and decided to throw me up forward,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“With Chippa (James Frawley) and Sellsy (James Sellar) taking the big two forwards, I was on these little whippets, so I wasn’t really getting into the game at all. They decided to throw me down forward, which I haven’t done for a while.

“It was good to change it up with big Clarky and some of the boys down there, and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t do a lot, but I just tried to play my role for the team.”

Rivers said it was a rare moment in his 139-game career to play up forward.

“I haven’t really played forward - I’ve snuck down and kicked a goal every now and then, but I’ve never been in a position down there,” he said.

“I’ve been going into [forward coach] Leigh Brown’s office ever since Garlo has played forward. I said ‘if Garlo can do it, I can do it’.

“It is good to get an opportunity to go down there and help out the forwards in any way I can.”

With the Demons having the bye this round, Rivers said the break had come at an opportune time to rejuvenate.

“I’m looking forward to it. The first half [of the season] has been tough,” he said.

“To have just one win is pretty disappointing, but we’ve got a good second half of the year draw and the teams that we’re all playing - it gives us a great opportunity to really compete with them all.

“It’s good to get a bit of time off to rest up and have a mental break as well. We’ll look forward to the second half of the year and get a few wins on the board.”

Rivers said he would “take it easy and rest up the legs” over the break.

“I’m going to stay in Melbourne, but I might head down to the coast and relax at my girlfriend’s parents’ house,” he said.

“I’ll enjoy the mental break, and hopefully we can come back and have a good second half of the year.”

The 27 year-old said his aims for the rest of 2012 were to keep playing consistent footy and build on his form.

“I’ve got a fair bit of improvement to go, and I’m just trying to improve, and hopefully each week, we’ll continue to improve as a footy club,” he said.

“Hopefully we’ll get a few wins on the board in the second half of the year and string a few wins together - you never know.”