Walking a mile in a defender’s shoes, forward Matt Panos has embraced a shift into the back six for Williamstown to develop his defensive play.

While he may not be kicking as many goals in the VFL this season, Panos believes spending more time in the back half has seen him become a more accountable and well-rounded footballer.

“I haven’t been kicking as many goals but I have been getting more touches, being a bit more versatile around the ground and playing a few different positions,” Panos said.

“It is definitely a different mindset - I am enjoying it though, it is good… being a bit harder around the ball and knowing you are not going to miss the tackle.”

After spending two years on the Western Bulldogs rookie list, Panos impressed enough in the VFL last year to be elevated to the senior list for the 2012 Season.

Known for his accurate kick on goal, the emerging forward continued to work hard over the pre-season earning the faith of the Bulldog coaching staff.

Panos missed out on a Round 1 debut after being named on an extended interchange bench but took it in his stride and has maximised his opportunities playing for Williamstown.

“I have been working pretty hard on reacting quicker and chasing a lot more and just trying to lock the ball into the 50 because that is probably the biggest downside to my game,” he said.
 
“Hopefully I can be a bit more desperate and hard around the contest and lock it in the forward line which is what the coaches want and what the team needs.”

Panos believes his new skill set can benefit his game at either end of the ground, while giving him insight into the mind of a defender.

“It is about being a bit more desperate and reading the play and getting into more situations when thinking about defence first - as opposed to when you are playing up forward and you are thinking about your offensive game.”

The hands on experience in the defensive half has also given Panos an appreciation for contested ball and the effect it can have on the result.

Panos claims the lessons he has learnt about contested footy since Senior Coach Brendan McCartney came to Whitten Oval could in fact be the most important thing he has learnt in three years at the Bulldogs.

“There’s the ball and the contest and if we lose then our defence is going to come under the pump and if we win it then their defence is under threat and it is in our forward line,” he said.

“It is just seeing how contested ball and being stronger around the contest and having more numbers affects everything that happens in the game.”

Outside of football the level-headed 21 year old of proud Greek / Italian heritage is halfway through an exercise science degree at Victoria University, which he believes helps take his mind of football and sets up his future post footy.

“I am very proud of where I come from. I am very proud to be Greek and Italian - Dad is Greek, Mum is Italian,” he said.

“I think I have got the best of both worlds. I believe they have the best two foods - I can’t split which one’s better but both of them are the best.”

Panos also backs himself as the reigning Playstation NBA and FIFA champion around Whitten Oval - calling on any challengers to step up.

“I love my Playstation - I think I am addicted to it… NBA and FIFA are probably the main ones,” he said.

“We have tournaments with a few of the other boys like James Mulligan, Jason Johannisen, Tom Hill and Justin Sherman.

“I think I am the reigning NBA and FIFA champion so if anyone’s out there, they can challenge me,” he joked.

In the meantime, Panos is hopeful that he will soon be challenging some of his other teammates for a role in the senior squad.

“It is the main goal for everyone on the list to play senior AFL, so I definitely want to make my debut this year,” he said.

“I think I am more of a lead up type player who is getting better around the contest, so I think in AFL I would play up the ground a bit more and try to get those exit kicks out of defence.

“A few of our forwards play pretty deep so I would be used up the ground more and I could bring a bit of extra enthusiasm as well  - just something different, a new face which hopefully they like.”