WEST Coast tall Jarrod Brander's move to a wing has been 12 months in the making, and the former key position player is determined to make the position his own in 2020.

After a frustrating second season that saw him play just two games to take his career tally to three, Brander has been earmarked to fill the wing position played by departed Eagle Chris Masten.

Recruited with pick No.13 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft as a future key position prospect, Brander and the Eagles have recognised the difficulty of squeezing him into a 22 stocked with elite key position talent.

The 196cm youngster was told to have a run on the wing during pre-season training 12 months ago and impressed, using this summer to transform himself into a player capable of filling the role at AFL level.

PRE-SEASON FIXTURE Check out your team's Marsh Community Series games

"The forward line is quite strong here and the coaches were trying to find a role for me to play to try and get me into the team," the 21-year-old told AFL.com.au this week.

"I reckon the move happened in the middle of a training session last pre-season.

"I was playing a bit of half-forward and they said, 'go and have a run on the wing and see how you go'.

"I ended up getting a few kicks as a taller winger and it was quite natural coming from half-forward.

"So last year was just see how you go and learning, and this year I've had much more of a focused role."

The role Brander has filled in the pre-season is an important one that isn't always recognised on the stats sheet.

He had 11 possessions and three marks in the opening Marsh Community Series match against Essendon, but was praised by coach Adam Simpson for his structural work in a "step forward".

"You're protecting the corridor on the open side quite a lot, which teams are trying to do and I like that responsibility," Brander said.

"The inside mids and other wingers are more inside the contest, and then my position is to hold the corridor and protect the open side.

"It's not a position where you're going to get heaps of the footy or dominate the game, but it's an interesting role."

While he has been given every opportunity to make the role his own this pre-season, Brander says he will need to earn his place in the season opener against Melbourne on March 22.

After a frustrating 2019 that saw him suffer a serious hamstring injury in August, he is physically ready to go after an excellent summer that saw him shave 16 seconds off his 2km time and win the Eagles' pre-season yo-yo test.

"Last year I put on a bit of weight to get some size, but this year I've just held that and I feel like I'm covering the ground a lot better," Brander said.

"I got a bit stronger too and came back feeling quite fit and more comfortable in my own body, so everything has flowed a bit better.

"That's transitioned into game day and my repeat speed has been quite good. So I think the wing role has suited me."

After a lack of senior exposure in his first two seasons, it's easy to forget Brander was rated by some as the best key position player in his draft, with recruiters and player managers speaking about him as a possible No.1 pick 18 months out.

While he is enjoying the change of role and opportunity to make a spot his own, Brander sees no reason why he can't return to a key position role as his career progresses.

"As I get bigger and stronger and as I get a little bit older as well, the dynamic of the team will change," he said.

"I grew up playing it and I was able to do it quite well, so I see no reason why I can't grow into that role in time.  

"But there's a spot there now that I can hopefully make my own for a little while."