GEELONG key position swingman and exciting young prospect Nathan Kreuger looks set to land in defence for the 2021 AFL season.

After spending much of his young career stationed in attack including last year’s hub practice matches, the explosive 196cm athlete has joined Matthew Scarlett’s defensive group to start the pre-season.

“It looks like he might settle down in the backline group this year and really try and develop him as a young key defender,” Scarlett says.

“He’s been really impressive his last few weeks back there. He spent a bit of time there last year as well as swinging into the front half so we’re going to try and settle him down, that’s the plan.

Kreuger has battled injury in his first two seasons at the club, returning home early from the Cats' Gold Coast hub in 2020 after developing knee soreness.

Geelong will be hoping he can get his body right and channel the raw athleticism that makes him one of the most tantalising prospects at the club.

“He’s a really fast runner and can jump and take speccies so I’m going to have to try to advise him when to go for those big hangers and when to spoil, but he’s got some really good attributes,” Scarlett says.

“It’s always good to have a little bit of aggression as a defender but you’ve got to do it in a smart way, which I couldn’t figure out even up until my last year.

“He’s a really exciting prospect and he’s really keen to learn and like all the other guys he’s come back in really good shape, so he’s given himself a chance.”