YOUNG Bulldog Jarrod Harbrow believes his days as a small forward have helped him make an easy transition into defence, where he's been given the task of roping in players similar to himself.

Harbrow, 20, has been played as a small defender this season and given jobs on players such as St Kilda's Stephen Milne and Carlton's Eddie Betts.

The Queenslander kicked 16.7 in 14 games last year but has upped his average disposals from around 11 a game to nearly 19 with his move down back.

"[Being a small forward], it gives me a bit of an advantage. It gives me a bit of a step forward, knowing what the forwards are going to do," he said on Wednesday, ahead of the Dogs' round 12 clash with Port Adelaide in Darwin.

"You can sort of predict ahead and get a bit of time ahead of your small forward."

After previously outlining a desire to increase his fitness and push into the midfield, Harbrow says he is enjoying life down back. 

"It's a bit different to the forward line, playing as a small forward the first couple of years at the club," he said.

"The coaches, especially Rocket, have given me the opportunities to go down back and have the confidence for me to be a defender and try that position out.

"I'm enjoying the time down back. I've still got a lot of learning and developing to go to become one of the best defenders but that will take time."

Harbrow will make his second mid-season trip to Darwin this weekend to face Port Adelaide in the round 12 clash at TIO Stadium.

With Wednesday's temperature in Melbourne reaching only 12 degrees, Harbrow said he was anticipating the chance to experience a change in climate.

"It's very similar to Cairns, back where I'm from, and everyone loves to play in the warm," he said.

"I know I especially do so the boys are really looking forward to it."

He also said he would most likely don a glove for Saturday night's game, as the amount of sweat generated by the players would make grasping the ball difficult.

"I'm sure a fair few of the boys will wear the glove as well," he said.

"There's just a bit more grip because you're not used to sweating as much down in Melbourne so we'll take any advantage."