GEELONG young gun Cam Guthrie is looking to spend more time in defence next season after the off-season arrival of midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Selwood.

The 23-year-old midfielder has recently spent time training with the club's defenders in a bid to take over the role vacated by the retired James Kelly.

"With acquisitions like Dangerfield and Selwood, there will be more depth in the midfield so guys might be playing different positions a bit more," Guthrie told the club's website.

"I've spent a lot of time in the midfield over the last couple of years, but we've recruited a few midfielders into the team as well.

"I've been spending a bit more time in defence in the pre-season, so I'll probably juggle that throughout the year - midfield and playing as a defender."

Guthrie began his career in the backline but moved into more of a consistent midfield role over the last few years after building his endurance.

His improvement was recognised in 2015 when he finished fifth in the 'Carji' Greeves Medal for Geelong's best and fairest, behind winner Mark Blicavs.

Every club's top-10 best and fairest results

As he works his way through his sixth pre-season, he says he aims to continue to "round my game off" and take up where Kelly left off as an attacking weapon that runs out of defence.

"'Kel' played that really well, so it might be similar," he said. 

"I have spent time in the midfield and defence before.

"When you're drafted we speak about flexibility and being able to play in different positions.

"This year it's looking like we're really going to have to utilise those skills."