Flourishing in a new role down back, Sam Wright is enjoying adding another dimension to his game.

After a pre-season that involved recovery from both a shoulder injury and a bizarre foot infection (read more about it here), Wright was happy just to get back out onto the field.

Accustomed to playing in the forward half, Wright’s ball skills were put to use against the Bulldogs at Eureka Stadium playing off half-back.

With 16 disposals and 66 Dream Team points, the move could be considered a success but it’s far from permanent with Brad Scott rotating several players through the area over the past few weeks.

"I enjoyed it, obviously took a little bit to get back into it but it was good to get an opportunity back there (in defence). The backmen were really good to work with and allowed to me to slip right in and do my role," Wright told kangaroos.com.au.

Some may have expected the 21-year old to take some time to settle into a defensive position given he hasn't played there for almost two years but he believes his time in the forward half actually helped.

"I haven't played back since my second year (2010) so it was a bit of a change. After about half a quarter I got back into it. Playing forward you get a good gauge of what the backmen have to do and I've also trained down back in the pre-season as well.

The most promising news after a full four quarters is that Wright's recovery went off as planned.

"Fitness-wise I'm right back with the other guys now that I'm recovered. I was only supposed to play a half against the Bulldogs but I played the full game. Everything's going really well."

And he’ll have another chance to get some valuable minutes against Carlton in the club’s final pre-season match