Fremantle's Alex Silvagni says mature-age recruit Zac Dawson will help to ensure the Dockers' defence lifts a notch in 2012 by guaranteeing strong competition for back six spots.
Fremantle's defence was one of their strengths in a disappointing 2011 campaign, with Antoni Grover, Luke McPharlin and Silvagni all enjoying impressive seasons despite the poor performances of many of their counterparts.
But new coach Ross Lyon decided to pick up 25-year-old Dawson, who he worked with at St. Kilda, in the pre-season draft.
With Greg Broughton and Garrick Ibbotson also likely to see time in defence and John Anthony a candidate to move back there if he continues to struggle as a forward, the battle for spots is expected to be intense.
But Silvagni said that was a challenge all of the Dockers defenders were looking forward to.
"I don't think we can all play in that position, which is a good thing," the 24-year-old second cousin of legendary full-back Stephen said.
"Competition for spots puts pressure on guys in the team and it's a great thing to have when you've got so many numbers out there."
"Zac is proven and he has got a wealth of knowledge. He's just a really good defender so it does make it a bit easier having a bit more height down there and sharing the load a little bit."
"If we can all stay together and play together, as we've seen with teams like Geelong, and if you can gel and work together during the pre-season it makes going into the season so much easier."
"You get to know what the rest of the defence is doing and get to know their strengths and weaknesses."
"It's up to the coaches what they do, they might thing guys are suited to playing in there one week against a certain team and they might need smaller guys or taller guys for another week so it just all depends."
McPharlin has spent time as a forward throughout his Fremantle career and may be considered for that role at times this season given the club's lack of goal-kickers, but Silvagni said he expected him to remain in defence.
"I think he's suited down back. He's a great backman and brings great leadership back there so I think he might stay down back," he said.