West Coast swingman Mitch Brown is set to spend the rest of the AFL season in defence after his impressive lock-down display in Saturday's 22-point loss to Adelaide.

Brown, snared by the Eagles with pick No.16 in the 2006 national draft, spent most of his early AFL career as a key defender but has been used unsuccessfully up forward this season, kicking just four goals in eight games.

The 21-year-old, who has already been dropped twice this season, was thrust into the heart of defence for the first time this year against the Crows and performed with aplomb, restricting Taylor Walker to just one goal and 16 possessions.

With skipper Darren Glass out for the rest of the season after undergoing groin surgery, Eagles coach John Worsfold said Brown was likely to remain in defence for the final seven games.

"We are going to challenge him to really take that on, certainly while Glassy is out for the remainder of the year," Worsfold said.

"He still has to perform and show he deserves that position but the challenge is there for him.

"We still think he has the potential to play as a forward but for the remainder of this year we are happy to use him at either end and just let him play AFL footy.

"He's a kid who just wants to play and be a good player for the team.

"He played most of his football as a kid as a forward but he's got some strengths so he can play at both ends.

"He just wants to do the best for the team. He's quick and strong and he's going to have a real go for us." Eagles defender Beau Waters (corked hamstring) is facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday night's clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium, but Shannon Hurn should be ready to resume from a calf injury.

Ruckman Dean Cox cramped badly during the Crows match but Worsfold believed it had more to do with the four-times All-Australian still lacking conditioning in his troublesome groin area.

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