SAM Frost says it was great to be back down in defence last round, after spending much of his time at Melbourne playing up forward or pinch-hitting in the ruck.

Frost, who played his first AFL match since round six against Hawthorn at the MCG last Saturday, impressed in defence.

Although it was a familiar position when he played with Greater Western Sydney, where he played 21 matches from 2012-14, Frost has largely been used as a versatile tall in the front half or assisting in the ruck.

But after playing five of the opening six rounds, Frost has honed his craft again down back with Casey and it was this form, which got him back into AFL.  

“I was happy to be back in the side and I had an all right first game back down in the backline with the boys, so I felt pretty comfortable out there and loved it,” he told Melbourne TV.

“I enjoyed working with the forward line for a while, but a lot of the stuff I learned in the forward line will help me with my back craft as well.

“I really enjoyed being down back with the boys and the system we’re playing with now, so I had a great time.”

Although he played three matches back at Casey in May, Frost said it helped his game.

“It’s been good. After being injured all year, I’d never played VFL before. I played a lot of reserves footy up in Sydney, but it was a good learning experience. The culture we’ve got now with Casey and Melbourne, and the one club feel, is really good,” he said.

“It was good to go back down in defence and get a bit of confidence down there, before coming back into the side. I really enjoyed my time with Casey and they’re going very well at the moment and are on top of the ladder, so they’re a very hard side to beat and we were playing some good footy as well.

“I’ve got a long way to go in my development and positioning work, and some other defence stuff, but I feel confident in myself and the coaches have filled me with confidence to go in the seniors and play good footy, so I’m very happy at the moment.”

Despite returning to his original position, Frost said he was likely to remain a tall utility.

“Depending on who we’re playing and who the match-ups are, I could end up back in the forward line and end up having to pinch-hit in the ruck,” he said.

“You never know, but it’s going to be a week-to-week thing and it’s good for me – it keeps me engaged and it keeps me alert with what craft to work on and I’ve really got to prepare myself well each week.

“It keeps me pretty switched on.”