Beau Wilkes dedicated every one of his 23 games for West Coast to stopping goals but, as a Saint, he's just as determined to score them.
One of only four recycled players to be offered a second chance at last month's AFL national draft, the 25-year-old reinvented himself in 2011 as a key forward with reigning WAFL premiers, Claremont.
A breakout season culminated in a five-goal haul and the Simpson Medal for best-afield in the Tigers' grand final win over Subiaco.
"I just concentrated on my year in the WAFL this year and, to be honest, a couple of weeks out from the draft I didn't really think I was a chance," said Wilkes.
"But St Kilda approached me and I jumped at the opportunity of moving to Melbourne."
Wilkes believes it was his flexibility that attracted the Saints' interest and he's every bit as ready to replace Zac Dawson on the last line as he is to play as a foil for skipper Nick Riewoldt in attack.
"I'd like to think I can play a role at either end," said Wilkes.
"It's just a matter of wherever the club needs me to play I hope I can fulfil a role."
"I got drafted as a forward when I was 17, 18, so I would like to think (with my) versatility I could play at either end."
Coach Scott Watters said he regarded Wilkes as 'insurance at both ends of the ground'.
"Obviously Beau Wilkes is one that we would expect to be ready," Watters said.
"He's really hungry, he learned from his first experience at AFL level and he's really committed to making a go of his second."
Fourth in line at the Eagles behind Darren Glass, Mitch Brown and Eric Mackenzie for a key defensive role, Wilkes hinted that things may have been different had he been given a go up forward.
"There was a number of guys that were in the same position," he said.
"I only played back there, but I think I can play forward as well."
"But right now it's all about hard work."
"I'm willing to put that hard work in so it's just head-down, bum-up to get to that elite fitness again and back to my AFL body."