Fremantle coach Ross Lyon jokingly says his decision to play Michael Walters in the midfield last week was a stroke of genius, and the goalsneak is set to get another crack in Sunday's clash with Richmond at the MCG.
Walters was struggling for form leading up to last week's win over the Bombers, with the 26-year-old booting just five goals over the first six rounds.
But a shift to the midfield against the Bombers sparked a huge turnaround in form as Walters finished the match with 26 possessions and six clearances.
Although Walters failed to kick a goal himself, he had six inside-50s and two score assists.
Lyon is keen to keep Walters in the middle for Sunday's clash with Richmond at the MCG.
"I told you he'd start in the midfield. It was a stroke of genius wasn't it?" Lyon said.
"He played quite well. He had a lot of ground balls. He kept it simple. I thought his pressure was back to its very best.
"Even though he didn't score any goals, he certainly set up goals."
Walters has led the club's goalkicking in three of the past four seasons.
But with the likes of Matthew Pavlich (retired) and Chris Mayne (Collingwood) no longer in Fremantle's forward set-up, and Hayden Ballantyne currently injured, Walters has become a major focus of opposition defences.
Lyon said Walters' shift to the midfield was a good way of freeing him up.
"Brady Grey and Harley Balic are still building their reputations, and Michael has a big reputation," Lyon said.
"So therefore he gets the lock-down defender. You play Hawthorn, and he gets Stratton hanging onto him pretty tightly all day.
"He gets that on a regular basis, and typically he can work through it.
"But if we're not playing great footy and giving him good support and supply, it makes it difficult."
Fremantle have won four of their past five matches at the MCG, and Lyon said his team was confident of continuing their good form against the Tigers.
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