LACHLAN Hansen's best position has long been a source of debate among North Melbourne supporters, but in his seventh AFL season, 2006's No. 3 draft pick seems to have found a home in defence.

Hansen started 2013 as a key forward, but kicked just five goals in the first four rounds before he was sidelined with a minor knee injury.

When he returned in round seven against the Western Bulldogs, Hansen was moved to defence.

His form since has been perhaps the best of his career.

Hansen's marking has always been his biggest weapon, but in the past seven games he has deployed it more effectively than ever before.

Regularly freeing himself to fly third man up, Hansen has taken 20 intercept marks since round seven, the equal fourth highest tally in the AFL in that time and nine more than the next best Roo, Scott Thompson.

Despite taking just one grab in North's rain-sodden round 11 loss to Gold Coast, Hansen has averaged 9.6 marks in defence this year, with more than 25 per cent of those marks contested. 

Hansen told AFL.com.au after North's 86-point win over Greater Western Sydney last Sunday he was happy to play anywhere, but felt most comfortable in defence. 

"I've played probably half and half between forward and back in the AFL," Hansen, 24, said. 

"But I did play all of my junior footy down back and I'm probably a little bit more comfortable down there, reading the flight (of the ball) instead of having someone up my arse all day. 

"But I'm just happy to get a game anywhere. When I went out of the team (after round four) Aaron Black came in and has been playing unbelievably well, so I had to try and force my way back into the side.

"A spot opened up down back and I just tried to take it."

Hansen was one of North's best players against the Giants, racking up 24 possessions and a game-high 13 marks (four contested).

It followed standout performances against West Coast in round eight (15 marks, five contested), St Kilda in round 10 (27 possessions, 12 marks) and Fremantle in round 12 (11 marks, two contested).

After the win against GWS, North coach Brad Scott said Hansen was becoming an influential player in defence.

"He's really versatile, Lachy, he's a 197cm key-position player who can play on smalls too," Scott said. 

"He's got elite endurance and he's really starting to impact games in defence. 

"He's still got some things to work on, we know that. But he's really developing and I'm sure by the time his career is finished he's going to develop into the player we want him to be."

Significantly, Scott said his other defenders had "great trust" in Hansen. 

"They really like having him down there," he said.

Hansen said the feeling was mutual.

"Working with 'Turbo' (Scott Thompson), 'Spud' (Michael Firrito) and 'Narni' (Nathan Grima) we've got a really good camaraderie together, so I'm really enjoying my footy at the moment," Hansen said.

Despite his outstanding recent form, there are no guarantees Hansen will be allowed to settle in defence long-term.

Scott, for one, has consistently said in recent years he wants to develop Hansen and teammate Robbie Tarrant into key position players who can play at either end of the ground.

If required to move further up the field, Hansen says he still feels confident playing as a forward.

Hansen has enjoyed success in attack too. Most notably, in the second half of 2010 when he was North's main aerial target in Drew Petrie's absence through injury, and in the second half of last season as part of a three-pronged attack with Petrie and Tarrant.

But for now Hansen appears firmly ensconced in North's back six. Which will bring a smile to the faces of those North supporters who have argued all along Hansen is a natural defender.