In a further boost to the depth at GMHBA Stadium this season, big man Esava Ratugolea has been putting in some strong performances as a key defender over the last month says Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree.

The 24-year old hasn’t played an AFL games since Round 3 after a combination of ankle and shoulder surgeries have made for an interrupted season, but Ratugolea’s athleticism and ability to read the play have seen him find a new lease of life behind the ball, and according to O’Bree, “he’s looking really confident.”

He judged among the Cats' best on the weekend, picking up 17 possessions and taking eight marks in the weekend’s loss to Box Hill.

“His athleticism helps a lot,” O’Bree told K rock Football on Saturday.

“When he plays in the ruck and when we play him behind the ball he actually reads the play and marks it really well.

“He's a physical type player as well, and [on Saturday] there were that many contests he would have got to where he didn't get beaten, and he at least halved it or marked it.”

Ratugolea was drafted with the 43rd pick of the 2016 National draft out of Cobram and has played 58 AFL games to date, mostly as an athletic forward/ruckman, but O’Bree says he’s embracing his opportunity to play as a defender. 

“Since we've thrown him down back he's a different person. He's excited, he's happy, and he's playing like it as well,” he said.

“With our list profile, it would help having another key defender.”

Geelong plays Port Melbourne on Sunday, 21 August at GMHBA Stadium at 1.05pm.