Lachlan Hansen's emergence as one of the best marking defenders in the competition continues to grow stronger every week.

Since his return to the senior side in Round 7, Hansen has taken the most marks in the competition with 102. It's well clear of the next best tally of 89 (Travis Cloke).

Considering the number six was concussed just minutes into the Round 16 clash with Brisbane, his numbers become even more impressive.

Hansen is equal second in that period in intercept marks with 31 (alongside Jake Carlisle) and outright second in contested marks with 26.

The move down back seems to have brought the best out of Hansen, but not for reasons many would expect.

"I'm a laidback kind of guy but I get a lot more nervous when I have to play down back," Hansen told NMFC.com.au.

"If a defender stuffs up, it's normally a goal.  If you stuff up as a forward you know they're not going to kick a goal on you most of the time.

"Down back you have to be switched on 100 percent of the time, so it does bring the best out of you."

Often playing as a loose man in the defensive half, Hansen's ability to read the play has been a large part of North's defensive improvement. It's no coincidence the highest score the Roos have conceded since the bye was the game at the Gabba when Hansen sat on the bench in the red vest.

While playing as the loose man seems simple, Hansen says there's much more to the task.

"Playing loose; it's about making sure I get in the right spot to help out the other defenders if the long ball comes in rather than leaving them one-on-one by themselves," Hansen explained.

"It's not always about helping out only if I'm loose, if I'm playing on someone I can still help out and move across to spoil or mark the ball.

"If I am loose I'm just making sure I'm talking with Scotty Thompson and Narni (Nathan Grima) and the other boys to make sure I'm in the right spots. It's a lot easier when they're all telling me how I'm going or where I'm meant to be and it's not just me thinking about where I've got to go."

As Hansen's influence grows, opposing coaches have moved to shut him down.

While the defender is just as adept at playing a lockdown role on a key forward, Hansen's ability to start counter attacks is arguably much more valuable.

However the team structures and ability of the defenders allows for flexibility in the back half.

"If we want the loose, as long as we're getting it done by someone, it doesn't matter who it is.

"If someone comes to me, then just say Shaun Atley is free, he can play the loose."

Playing down back instead of up forward has its differences, but Hansen enjoys the change.

"When you're up forward you've always got a defender right behind you all the time, making it as hard as possible to get the footy.

"Going back, it's swapped around now and now I'm the one there making it hard for a forward. It makes it easier for me to drop off and use my strengths. I've enjoyed going back there and being able to help out the other defenders."