After being cast as a forward early in his career, it appears to have been a stroke of genius to send Sam Rowe to the backline. 

Rowe has established himself as a reliable defender for the Blues this season, having successfully shut down some of the most powerful forwards in the competition. 

Tonight the 26-year-old will run out for his 26th AFL game when Carlton takes on North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. 

Speaking on SEN ahead of this week’s game, Rowe said he is relishing his new role.

"I used to always think I was a forward but I have really settled into defence this year and I’m really loving it,” Rowe said. "I don’t really want to go anywhere.”

Rowe rates Geelong’s Tom Hawkins as one of his toughest opponents so far this year, conceding the “Tomahawk” got the better of him but in doing so taught him some valuable lessons. 

Likewise last week, Rowe said he learned a thing or two from Sydney superstar Lance Franklin. 

"When big Buddy gets up and going he’s a beast,” Rowe said. “He’s got everything going for him – he’s powerful, he’s quick, he’s a booming kick – so he’s very hard to stop when he is up and going."

Meanwhile Rowe has defended Blues coach Mick Malthouse who has been in the spotlight this week for his sometimes prickly persona. 

"Mick’s just a passionate man – he’s been that way for 30 years,” Rowe said, emphasising his coach has a  very different side that few get to see.  

"He definitely wants to have that holistic approach to his coaching,” Rowe said.

“It’s not just playing footy, there’s definitely that aspect that he wants to make us better people, so that whenever we finish playing footy we’re good people and we’re better people for being at the footy club.”