The forward pocket is one of the most difficult positions to master in the game of Australian Rules.

Their role is largely built on providing tackling pressure inside forward 50m, and can often go unrecognised and unrewarded on both the stats sheet and scoreboard.

It could be argued that bigger key forwards are more likely to get the ball delivered to them on a silver platter, whereas forward pocket players are left fighting over the scraps.

But an effective small forward’s impact will always far outweigh his disposal count.

After a stunning NAB Cup campaign, which included three goals in the pre-season Grand Final, Lions livewire Josh Green looks to have cemented himself as the team’s first-choice forward ahead of Round One.  

Green, 20, told The Courier Mail on Monday that he’s beginning to feel more comfortable in the role.

"I've got a lot of confidence out of the NAB Cup," Green said.

"The goals are a result of the chasing and pressure which is a big part of the role so I need to keep doing that.”

"I finished last season up forward and felt really comfortable there.”

"I understand the role really well and I wanted to improve throughout the NAB Cup.”

"We've got four or five guys who can go through that small forward role so we've got plenty of depth.”

"If we are doing our job, it makes it easier for Brownie to do his. We can't leave it all up to him."

Green (177cm) is one of a handful of smaller Lions forwards capable of contributing to the scoreboard – along with Ash McGrath (182cm), Dayne Zorko (175cm), Todd Banfield (183cm) and Rohan Bewick (183cm).

In fact, probably not since the likes of Craig McRae and Luke Power roamed the team’s forward line during the halcyon days has the Lions’ ‘mosquito fleet’ looked so potent in attack.