By Michael Whiting
 

A speculative positional switch by Gold Coast SUNS reserves coach Shaun Hart is proving to be a masterstroke for the career of young defender Rory Thompson.

Thompson, 20, was recruited by the GC SUNS as a Queensland zone selection in 2009 as a ruckman who could play forward.

But Hart saw something in the 200cm, 91kg red-head as a defender and he has not looked back.

Against St Kilda on Saturday night he was again strong in the back half, putting a blanket on the experienced Justin Koschitzke, gathering 14 disposals and six marks of his own to go with a host of effective spoils.

GC SUNS coach Guy McKenna said he was rapt with Thompson's progress.

"It was just an idea in the seconds," he said. "Shaun Hart whacked him down to centre-half back in one game and he was terrific.

"He's taken a while to get going early in games - we need to bring him on at about the 15 minute mark of the first quarter - but he's been fantastic.

"Get him to play on Justin Koschitzke, we don't need to see Nathan Bock play on him. We want to see Rory Thompson play on him because if he can halve it or beat him he can play on some big dangerous forwards like he has done already.

"He's moving in the right direction that's for sure."

After making his debut against the Sydney Swans in round 16, Thompson has now played four consecutive matches.

His move back was made out of necessity as much as anything, with the GC SUNS well stocked in both the ruck and forward department.

In the ruck they have Zac Smith, Josh Fraser, Daniel Gorringe, Tom Nicholls and Tom Hickey, while up forward there is Tom Lynch, Sam Day, Charlie Dixon and Fraser when he moves there.

McKenna said Thompson reminded him of a former North Melbourne champion.

"He was more of a key forward than a ruck, a bit like Corey McKernan used to be." McKenna said.

"Struggling for tall defenders as most clubs do, he went back with a great attitude and has not missed a beat."