IN HIS debut season, Aaron Hall's first thought was to attack, but a change of mindset has reaped dramatic rewards for the Gold Coast small forward.

After an up-and-down start to 2013, Hall was used as the substitute in round six against Fremantle.

Since being reinstated to the starting 21 the following week, he has ramped his defensive pressure to another level – something that wasn't his default setting 12 months ago.

And his coaches love it.

Hall, 23, was drafted in 2011 from Tasmania as a hard-working small forward with a nose for goals.

He showed flashes of brilliance in nine games last season, but was in an out of the team due to a lack of consistency.

Speaking regularly with defensive coach Dean Solomon and forwards coach Mark Riley in the off-season, Hall said he switched his focus.

"After I was the sub against Freo, I'm leading the pressure acts as a forward in the AFL. My goal is to keep that spot," Hall said.

"That's what I pride myself on at the moment.

"In my first year, my mentality wasn't to defend first and attack second. But once I got that over the pre-season and learnt the structures a bit more ... in the forefront of my mind is to defend, defend and offence comes naturally."

Preview: Suns v Crows

Offence has certainly come naturally this season, with Hall kicking 15 goals in his 12 games to sit behind only captain Gary Ablett (16) as the Suns' leading goal-kicker.

Hall had a breakout performance against Hawthorn at the MCG in round nine, kicking five goals to announce his arrival as an AFL player.

Just as notably he backed it up two weeks later against North Melbourne with a career-high 10 tackles.

"I've only got the ball in my hands an average of 14 times a game, so other than that I'm defending, that's what I keep thinking," he said.

Despite his improved form, Hall said he was far from comfortable in a Gold Coast outfit that is starting to create some depth.

Although Tom Lynch (knee), Michael Rischitelli (elbow) and Brandon Matera (ankle) are all on the long-term injury list, the likes of Harley Bennell, Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Charlie Dixon and Greg Broughton are all yet to return.

"I don't think you can cement your spot off 12 games, it needs to be over a season or two seasons," Hall said.

"Hopefully I play every game this year, bar injuries, that's my goal.

"I feel like I'm selected each week. If I keep performing there's no risk of me going out of the side. I've only played 20 games, I've got so much to learn and so many areas to improve.

"I think that's the goal of our footy club, to improve and compete over four quarters. We're starting to see the results but we're not satisfied."

Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting