HE DOESN'T strike you as a Mr Fix-It, but Daniel Merrett has been a quiet saviour for a resurgent Brisbane Lions in 2012.

One of the most reliable defenders in the competition in recent years, Merrett has been thrust into the crucial forward-ruckman role and thrived.

Initially reluctant to leave his defensive post, the 27-year-old has grown in his new home and is the Lions' second leading goalkicker with 21 behind captain Jonathan Brown (23).

It wasn't meant to be this way, but a series of events conspired to get the big red-headed Queenslander into the front half.

Following Mitch Clark's departure to Melbourne in the off-season and Brent Staker's knee reconstruction, the Lions were already light on for big men.

Then when Brown went down late in the pre-season needing a third operation on his face in 12 months, coach Michael Voss was in a quandary.

His key forwards now consisted of Aaron Cornelius, Jordan Lisle, Bryce Retzlaff, Patrick Karnezis and Ryan Lester, who at the time were all between 19 and 21 years of age with a total of 44 senior games between then.

Voss wanted a bigger, more experienced body to take the load, so turned to Merrett, who came to the Lions almost 10 years ago as a raw forward from Southport.

But with just 17 goals in 113 career games prior to this season, it was a role he was no longer comfortable with.

"I thought I'd found my spot at full-back and I'd stay there the rest of my career, then bang, things change and things happen and you find yourself in a different position," Merrett said.

"Initially I was a bit hesitant to change, that's just my personality, and being comfortable with the position I was playing.

"That's where the team needs me the most at the moment. It's probably where I started my career playing forward and in the ruck as well, so I kind of felt I'd gone back to the start again."

Initially there to attract a strong defender and provide a contest, Merrett has flourished, kicking seven goals against GWS on a memorable Sunday afternoon at the Gabba, and backing up with another bag of four against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago.

He has had fleeting stints back in defence and also helped out Ben Hudson as a back-up ruckman.

"Right at the start I was as happy as a Cheshire cat, being released from full-back, running around having a good time up forward, but as oppositions start to put some time into you and it becomes harder, it stops being fun and that was very challenging at the start," he said.

"There was no other choice but to just work at it. I hate losing so you work at it and do your best every week."

He said Brown's return against Fremantle in round three was a relief.

Although Merrett has played and trained alongside his skipper for the best part of a decade, he clearly still admires the champion centre half-forward.

"He draws the number one defender, which was a pressure release. It's been really good just trying to help him out most weeks.

"When I was down the other end (in defence) watching, you'd watch two or three defenders go to him every time and it was very frustrating to watch. I try and take attention away from him.

"It's so unique the way he forces himself to the contest and the way he draws the ball, it's great to watch and definitely a talent in itself. I'm just trying to keep those other defenders accountable and give Browny a look."

But the man who was in contention to be named All Australian full-back before suffering a season-ending back injury midway through 2011 might not be in such a hurry to return to full-back.

"I've played 14 games in the forward line now so I'm not sure I'd know what to do if I went back. I might be a bit rusty."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting