AT THE four-minute mark of Sunday’s Hawthorn-Melbourne clash at the MCG, things were looking bleak for the brown and gold’s defence.

With a suspended Campbell Brown out of the side and Trent Croad running towards the dressing rooms with a match-ending dislocated wrist, Demons forwards David Neitz and Russell Robertson must have been optimistic about their chances.

Enter Robert Campbell. The recently slimmed-down ruckman, who has moonlighted as a defender in his seven-year career and has played on the likes of Warren Tredrea and Barry Hall, was given the nod to go to Neitz after a pre-season spent alternating in a variety of roles.

“I enjoy playing down back, but as soon as ‘Croady’ started running off, I was thinking, ‘Oh no, please don’t call my name’,” Campbell admitted after the 104-point win.

“Standing next to a guy with the stature of David Neitz is pretty amazing.

“I was pretty lucky in a few regards - they didn’t kick it to him very much - but he’s still a very unpredictable player, so I was just lucky he didn’t get his hands to it very much.”

Campbell, 25, also drifted into the forward line during Sunday evening’s thrashing and managed to boot two goals.

He told hawthornfc.com.au that he enjoys being given the opportunity to move away from his traditional role as a ruckman, and has learned how to play different positions as a result.

“I’ve pretty much been playing in the ruck since I was a kid, so you get to know the traits of a lot of different ruckman. Going down back, you’re playing on some pretty amazing players,” he said.

“David Neitz has been around been around for a long time, and he’s learned a lot of tricks. He’s one of those guys where you think you’ve got him out of position but he still gets his hands to it.

“One thing I did notice with him was I felt I got my hand to the ball a few times in marking contests and he just claimed it. He’s just one of those guys who has strong hands above his head.”

If Campbell had to pick a favourite position from the three he trialled on Sunday, he’d prefer to stay in the centre and take control of the rucking duties for his side.

“I really enjoy playing in the ruck because I feel like I can influence the game a fair bit in there, just being a bigger-bodied player,” he said.

“But I also enjoy playing down back and up forward. As long as I get to play, it doesn’t really worry me.”

Campbell said the playing group was pleased with the way Sunday’s match turned out, especially after Hawthorn continued to dominate in the second half.

“To get such a good start and be up by four or five goals at the end of the first quarter was great,” he said.

“We were just really proud we were able to go on with it. At three-quarter time, we talked about it and said in the last couple of years, we tended to get to good positions at three-quarter time and then take our foot off the pedal or be a bit undisciplined.

“It’s just really good that we were able to stick to the game plan and get over them by as much as we did.”