LIONS fans might have been surprised to see Robbie Copeland line up in the forward line last week against Collingwood, but the regular defender was a goalkicking ace in a former footballing life.

Copeland's forward role against the Mapgies was more about containing the rebound of Heath Shaw than providing a scoring threat.

That said, despite an AFL career that has netted only 20 goals from 118 games, the man known as ‘Bushie’ does have form in front of goal.

"I actually played as a forward for a combined junior team called the Northern Dragons when I was younger," Copeland told lions.com.au.

"I think I kicked 11 goals in one game, 10 in another game and seven in another - so I did manage to kick a few goals.

"It was definitely different to find myself in the forward line again on the weekend and I had a bit of fun. But my role was pretty much to stop Heath Shaw running the ball out. I think he only had it nine or 10 times so I went okay.

Something else Copeland thinks would be a "bit of fun" is State of Origin football. The possible return of AFL Origin matches has been discussed at length in the media this week and Brisbane's Courier Mail named Copeland at half-back in a potential Queensland side.

"I think every player would love to play for their state. Playing for the Lions you get to represent your state every week," Copeland said.

"I suppose we'd be wearing the maroon and white and it would be great. You'd get to play with players you'd normally only play against and catch up with old mates. I played juniors with Mitch Hahn and I'd really like to play with him again.

In the shape of the free-running Andrew Raines, this week's opponent, Richmond, have a defender not unlike Heath Shaw. Still, Copeland suspects that he'll probably find himself back in defence come Saturday night's game at Docklands.

Fortunately for the Lions, the 26-year-old is accustomed to adjusting to new roles - including fatherhood. Over the summer, Copeland and wife Felicity welcomed their first child, Brock, and the youngster already has a footy in his hands.

"It's a great experience - your life changes a bit but I think we're coping pretty well," Copeland said of life as a dad.

"Brock means the world to us and we've been really lucky. He sleeps pretty much right through the night and he has done since he was three weeks old.

"When we beat Freo a few weeks back we kicked the footies up into the crowd and I kicked mine up to him. So he's got that footy and a few other little ones as well."