Chad Wingard had more tatts than tackles.
And the Port Adelaide star was copping it after laying just nine tackles in nine AFL games this year.
His coach Ken Hinkley knew critics were circling.
So instead of starting Wingard in his customary forward post on Friday night against Richmond, Hinkley threw him into the middle.
The result was stunning: Wingard collected a game-high 31 disposals in Port's 14-point victory.
And, he laid eight tackles.
Hinkley admired Wingard, whose arms are sleeved in tattoos, for publicly acknowledging his form struggles at mid-week media conference.
"I love his stuff this week, he didn't shy away from his form being a little off," Hinkley said after Port's 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58) win.
"But what a way to respond, the way he played.
"Chad, not unlike a lot of players, has got a bit of pride.
"And if you look at Chad Wingard's last month, for those who thought he was out of form, they probably haven't got great memories."
Hinkley said there was a simple reason for Wingard's low tackle numbers: he had played predominantly in attack, not in the cluster of midfield.
"He's around the ball a lot more tonight in a contested game, it's a much easier thing to do," Hinkley said.
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