NORTH Melbourne young gun Lachie Hansen is expecting to play up forward this year, despite the return of Drew Petrie and the back injury suffered by key defender Nathan Grima.

After spending most of his time at centre half-back during the early part of the Kangaroos' 2010 campaign, Hansen was shifted into attack for the round 10 clash with Fremantle.

With Petrie sidelined by foot problems, Hansen proved his worth by booting 23 goals in the final 13 games of the season.

"I enjoyed playing up forward in the second half of last year," the 22-year-old told afl.com.au.

"With Drew coming back this year we'll have another tall target, so hopefully he and I can work together."

But it remains to be seen whether coach Brad Scott will send Hansen into the backline to cover for Grima, who recently had surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back and will miss the early rounds.

"If the team needs me to play down there I'll go down there, but a couple of the younger boys might be able to do the job," Hansen said.

"Robbie Tarrant is training the house down. He'll be able to hold down the centre half-back spot and help out Scotty Thompson and Spud Firrito."

The achilles tendon problems suffered by big man Hamish McIntosh could even result in Hansen having to do some occasional ruck work.

"There might be a few rotations with Goldy (Todd Goldstein) because he'll be the only ruckman," Hansen explained.

"After Drew I'm probably the next tallest so I might have to pinch-hit in the ruck as well. I've done that in the past.

"We'll be chopping and changing a bit in the first few rounds until the other two boys (Grima and McIntosh) come back, but we'll push through that."

Whatever comes, Hansen, who's preparing for his fifth AFL season, is confident he can have a big impact this year.

"I'm feeling really good," he said. "I had my shoulder fixed up during the off-season, but I haven't missed a session all pre-season so I'm probably feeling the best I ever have.

"I'm ready for a big year. Like everyone, I'm looking forward to the NAB Cup starting and getting into it."