ST KILDA has abandoned its plan to use forward Terry Milera in defence this season, but the off-season experiment could still have benefits for the goalkicker's game.
Milera spent the majority of the summer training in the backline, with new coach Alan Richardson keen to explore whether his ball-use and decision-making could be best utilised off half-back.
The 26-year-old is currently recovering from a foot injury, but he has been told that when he returns he will be required in attack this year.
With a return of 26 goals from 25 games across two seasons, Milera is hopeful his time with the defenders will increase his productivity and physicality as a forward.
"Everything is different down there, they do a lot of body work," Milera told AFL.com.au.
"My body work was probably non-existent last year to be honest, but doing a lot of training in the backline should help me with that this year.
"I'll try and be more physical and get more body on.
"I'll be a forward, but there are things I learnt in the backline that I'll try and implement in my game."
Milera's proposed switch was inspired by the successful move Carlton's Chris Yarran made from attack to defence while Richardson was involved at the Blues as a senior assistant.
The mature-age recruit said he preferred to play midfield, but being versatile would help him earn games.
"If I can play forward, down back and in the midfield then it's going to give me three options to play and more opportunity," he said.
"It's definitely going to help me in the long run.
"I want to play midfield, but I wasn't surprised when Alan told me to go and train with the backs.
"Playing forward is good as well and I enjoy kicking goals."
Milera is unlikely to feature in the Saints' pre-season campaign as he recovers from a foot injury and his summer was also interrupted by ankle surgery late last year.
He said the club's young forwards needed to stand up this year and ease the burden on captain Nick Riewoldt, who led the Saints with 50 goals in 2013, followed by now retired small forward Stephen Milne (28 goals).
"It's going to be a young forward line and it's up to us to step up now and make a name for ourselves," Milera said.
"We've still got Nick up there as the key forward, but all around him will be young guys.
"With a few of the older guys going out of the team some of the younger guys have stepped up and really improved this pre-season."
