RYAN Schoenmakers made his name as a forward in his junior days but looks likely to forge his career at Hawthorn at the other end of the ground. 

"They said that I showed some defensive qualities and that's where they eventually saw me fitting into the side," Schoenmakers says of his initial chats with Hawthorn recruiters after being taken 16th overall in last year's NAB AFL Draft.

"I haven't played much in defence during my junior career, but I played one game at centre half-back during the under 18 championships.

"It will require a bit of a change of mindset having played up forward most of my life. It will be hard at first, but I love a challenge."

The young South Australian is noted for his endurance.

His winning time in the repeat sprint at the NAB AFL Draft Camp is evidence of his huge tank and he's been likened to hard-running Swan forward Ryan O'Keefe in the way he goes about his football.

And he is confident the move to defence will be an excellent way to get a handle on playing at the highest level.

"Starting down back gives you a really solid base, so then you can play any position on the ground really," he says.

"We've been doing a lot of game strategy stuff in the last few weeks, so I'm trying to fit into the side and learn a whole new way of thinking really.

"There are a lot of new terms and concepts to get used to as well as a different way of playing."

Schoenmakers' height was listed at 189 cm during the championships, but the Hawks measured him at 193 cm at the start of the year which puts him squarely in the key position category.

Moving interstate can be an unsettling experience for lads his age but the 18-year-old, who is staying with a host family in Glen Iris, hasn't had any time to miss home.

"The draft was on Saturday and I was in Melbourne on Sunday. I didn't really have much time to think about it. I just packed my bags and left," he says.

"All my mates were pretty excited and I've got a great support network back home, so it made it a lot easier for me.

"I didn't really know what to expect, but I know it's an exciting time for the club. I think it was the best club to go to and I'm loving it.

"I'm just hoping to get used to Melbourne and settle in really well. I'll train hard and hopefully manage a game or two.

"I don't know whether that will happen, but I'm definitely going to aim for that."