Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident Shane Kersten has what it takes to become a bona fide AFL defender, and the former Cats forward might even get his chance against North Melbourne.
Kersten's future looked bleak after he was dropped following a goalless display in the round-one loss to Port Adelaide.
It took his tally to a meagre 24 goals from 21 games since crossing from Geelong to Fremantle at the end of 2016.
Kersten is contracted to Fremantle until the end of 2019 but it appears his only ticket back into the side is through defence.
The 25-year-old has been playing mostly as a defender in the WAFL during the past two months and Lyon is optimistic he will soon be ready to step into AFL ranks.
That could occur as early as Sunday if Joel Hamling suffers any late symptoms from his recent concussion.
Hamling copped a heavy arm to the head from Sydney's Lance Franklin last week.
Although Hamling passed his concussion test earlier this week, the premiership defender will be assessed again before Sunday's clash at Optus Stadium.
Fremantle's defenders will have their hands full in that game trying to contain Kangaroos spearheads Ben Brown, Jarrad Waite and the talented Mason Wood.
Brown and Waite have combined for 50 goals this season, while Wood has booted eight goals in three games since returning to the side in round seven.
If Kersten is called upon, Lyon is confident the 191cm utility can fill the void.
"He's got some wonderful tools - kick, run, speed," Lyon said.
"Half the challenge is finding your spot in AFL football. Sometimes you get earmarked as something and it doesn't quite work.
"We could play him forward. But we are resisting it because he has really bought in and in a sense sees himself as a backman.
"He acknowledged it make take six to 10 weeks to get to that position where he can grab that role. He's fully invested mentally into developing in that role."
North Melbourne were widely tipped to finish near the foot of the table this year but have defied those predictions to be 5-4.
The Kangaroos have already taken down top-four fancies Sydney and GWS, and aim to become the first interstate team to beat Fremantle at Optus Stadium this year.
The Dockers recalled Stephen Hill (quad) and Danyle Pearce, while North Melbourne included Sam Durdin for the rested Majak Daw.
North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein will celebrate his 200-game milestone with a stiff challenge against Fremantle's 211cm giant Aaron Sandilands.
