North Melbourne's Charlie Comben has flourished since becoming an intercept defender, and was pivotal in the closing stages of the Round 9 draw against the Brisbane Lions.

The 23-year-old, who was drafted as a key forward, told SEN the positional move last season was the brainchild of senior coach Alastair Clarkson.

"It wasn't until late in 2023 after I broke my leg that 'Clarko' (Clarkson) pondered to me whether I'd consider going back as a backman," Comben said.

"We had Ben McKay, who looked most likely to leave the footy club and ultimately did, and I started going to the footy with Clarko a bit. 

"I started watching some of the good interceptors ... Tom Stewart, Steven May, these really solid key defenders. 

"And the decision was made at that point that next year - for my body as well, to get some continuity in my football - to go back and play behind the ball."

Comben said his history of impact injuries had been a consideration in making the switch.

"(The safety of playing in defence) was definitely a key mechanism, but it was also a need for the team," he said.

"We didn't have a key defender at that point that was of my height. 

"So luckily it's worked out pretty well, but I definitely put a lot of work in those early stages to be able to perform the way I am now."

Comben praised Clarkson for putting in time to build relationships with his players.

"Clarko's great at that stuff, always looking at different ways ... sometimes a bit weird, to get players better," he said.

"I went to three games with one of the best coaches of all-time, one-out, and had his thoughts on the game and sat behind the goals and listened to him pick apart the game and how people are playing. 

"It's one of those things, a bit of a turning point in my career, and definitely a memory I'll cherish, but Clarko's great at doing things like that for his players."

Comben said the pair went to dinner before the games, before bonding over a beer at the game.

"There was a bit of chat pre-dinner, a lot of small talk, but I do remember one of those games," he said.

"It was late in the season, I'd been injured for five months and I wasn't going to play again. 

"Probably a bit rogue on my part, but I said, 'Look Clarko, I'm gonna go get a drink, would you like a beer?'

"So I had a beer with him at the footy, which probably ... not the go with the senior coach, but it was a bit of chat as well as footy."