A MOVE to half-back has helped former number one draft pick David Swallow recapture his best form.

In the first month of the season, Swallow was solid, but not much more, while averaging 19 disposals per game as a midfielder.

But in the second half of Gold Coast's round four loss against Port Adelaide, Suns coach Guy McKenna shifted the 20-year-old to the half-back line, where he has played since.

Swallow has taken the challenge head on, finishing strongly against the Power before putting in fine performances in the past fortnight against GWS and Fremantle.

Last week against the Dockers, he was assigned the task of keeping Hayden Ballantyne quiet.

He kept the pesky Docker goalless and limited him to 11 disposals.

"I was struggling to find the football in the middle the first three rounds," Swallow said.

"It's always been talked about. The start of my first year there was talk I'd play off half-back a bit to use a bit of run. I played my juniors there, so I don't mind it."

The emergence of Jaeger O'Meara as a rugged in-and-under ball winner and the inclusion of Jesse Lonergan in a similar role has put the squeeze on in the Suns' midfield.

Swallow has shown not only his defensive side, but his ability to win uncontested ball and be creative in the past few weeks.

"I find the biggest thing is the small forwards are quite sneaky," he said.

"If you ball-watch for a split second, they'll be haring forward and you've got to be aware of that.

"Ballantyne did that a couple of times, the ball would be coming in and I'd be looking at the footy and bang, he'd be off. You've got to watch that."

Collectively, after a below-par display in last Sunday's 45-point loss to Fremantle, Swallow said the Suns would need to improve dramatically against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

"We've still got a long way to go," he said.

"We've got to absorb the pressure and be composed and start to play our brand of footy better and that comes with practice.

"Our approach has got to be if we don't bring our best game, they'll roll us. If we don't come and play to our best, games like this we might not win. We have to come out with a good attitude."