PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Brett Montgomery believes Dougal Howard has the ability to play both in defence and attack throughout his career.

Howard was swung into the forward line during the third quarter against Adelaide, and Montgomery says the big man possesses the key attributes needed to play at either end of the ground.

“I think he’s got AFL forward athleticism which gives you a chance,” Montgomery said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“He’s got speed, power, he competes and no doubt as a defender that’s in many critical contests he will have an understanding for what it takes.

“There were plenty of silver linings in the game but we obviously came up short in one of our biggest games of the year and he (Howard) was just one of them.”

The 23-year-old kicked two goals and was the ignition for Port’s stretch of five unanswered goals to reduce the margin to 12 points mid-way through the final term.

“He gives us flexibility, for sure,” Montgomery said.

“It is certainly something that we would be happy to push the button pretty quick.

“Through his actions and how dangerous he was, he will put some pressure on some other players, that is for sure.”

Asked whether Howard would play a more permanent role as a forward, Montgomery says it will be a decision made on a needs basis.

“If we think we can get the job done behind the ball and release him we will do that,” he said.

“If we think we don’t get the contest we are looking for in front of it or anywhere near the shape and structure that he can add to, it does give us that flexibility.

“Whether we start that way or whether we have it as an in-game tool, we’ll just see how the week goes on that.”