He has proven to be surprisingly adept as a centre-back this season.
But Oli Hawkins excelled in his more natural position as Pompey brought 2017 to a close with a 3-1 victory over Northampton.
Leading the line at Fratton Park, he bagged a brace to help the Blues move into the League One play-off spots.
His first goal was a superb header from the edge of the box to convert a deep Christian Burgess cross, while the striker then nodded in a Dion Donohue delivery after the break.
And Hawkins was delighted to make such a positive contribution in his first start for more than a month.
He said: “It’s a very good way to end the year and I’m buzzing at the moment.
“I was back in the starting line-up, playing up front and I got two goals to help us win the game – I couldn’t really ask for more.
"I’ve scored similar goals like that in my career previously and thought I’d try it – luckily the ball flew in."
“There was a lot of pace on the ball in from Burge and there wasn’t really anyone around me, so the only thing I could really do was go for it.
“I’ve scored similar goals like that in my career previously and thought I’d try it – luckily the ball flew in. I was happy with it.
STRONG HEAD!!!! @oliverhawkins08 beats the keeper from the edge of the box with a sublime header for @officialpompey. What a ball and what a header! #pompey
— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) December 30, 2017
➡️ @EFL highlights from 9:05pm on @channel5_tv. pic.twitter.com/BvA9JdctwW
“For the second one I was expecting a higher cross, but I read the ball a bit quicker than the defender and was able to nip in ahead of him.
“I managed to get a good contact on the ball, although I wasn’t sure that it had gone in until I heard the cheering.
“After my little injury I didn’t know when or where I was going to come back into the team, but the manager had faith in me and I’m happy to score goals.”
It was a pleasing way to close 2017 for Hawkins, who signed for Pompey on transfer deadline day in August.
He said: “It’s been a good year for me after a positive end to last season with Dagenham and then moving to Pompey.
“I’ve hopefully proved that I can be a League One player and it’s pleasing to contribute both with goals and clean sheets.”