DAVID Hale has become somewhat of a utility since arriving at Hawthorn, spending time both up forward and in the ruck.

It seems that whenever the Hawks require a player to step up and fill a void, Coach Alastair Clarkson turns to his number 20.

Since crossing from North Melbourne at the conclusion of the 2010 season, Hale has enjoyed playing a predominantly forward role, assisting the likes of Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli.

This season though, in the absence of the injured Max Bailey and Broc McCauley, Hale has had to take on the number one ruck mantle along with forward partner, Jarryd Roughead.

The 201cm utility says though, that he’s enjoying his new role.

“Its been a good start to the year,” Hale said.

“Getting that partnership with Rough (Jarryd Roughead), we’ve been working on it for the past five or six weeks and every week we’re getting a little bit better so hopefully we can keep going.

“If I’m in the ruck I still try to get down and kick one or two a week but as long as you’re getting a game, playing well and helping the team, that’s the main thing.”

The ruck is viewed by most in the AFL as one of the most important positions on the ground, given it is integral to win the ruck battle in order to give midfielders first use of the football.

Creating a “dynamic duo” though, requires hard work in order to get a good relationship between the two players rotating through the position.

“It’s something we’ve got to keep working on and hopefully by the time we get to the crunch, we’re doing well,” Hale said.

“A lot of it is playing together, and obviously with training, we’ve been working with Damian Monkhorst (the Club’s ruck coach) to do a lot of ruck training."

In 159 AFL matches, Hale has booted 147 goals, including nine in the opening 10 matches this season - playing predominantly as a ruckman has been a change.

It has been a welcome one, however, giving him a new challenge and the capacity to learn more about the game.

“Some of the training is a little bit foreign,” Hale said.

“If we keep listening and learning and trying to implement it during a game then it’s only going to help us.”

Being entrusted with the number one ruck mantle hasn’t changed the way Hale goes about his footy though, instead it has provided him with the opportunity to get more involved in general play.

“Your mindset doesn’t really change, you’re a lot closer to the ball so there’s a lot more play you can get involved in,” he said.

“Whether it’s follow up tackles or just getting your hand in here or there, it’s a lot more important when you’re up around the ball so it’s something that you definitely pick up.”

Developing a close relationship with the midfield group has also been important, and an area that Hale has identified as an important.

“It’s something you work on during the week, just getting that connection (with the midfielders),” he said.

“I think that relationship is getting stronger the more Rough and I work on it but it’s something we can keep improving on.”

Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.