As an Assistant Coach, Shaun Higgins saw the tenacity and competitiveness of the Bulldogs’ women’s team first-hand last year, and the utility is eagerly awaiting the second instalment this Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

While his involvement in the Bulldogs senior team will prevent him from playing a coaching role this season, the 26-year-old’s interest in the curtain raiser has not diminished.

“It’s really important… now to go into the second year, the girls really enjoyed it,” Higgins said.

“It’s great to get them down involved in the footy Club and do some training with us.

“The support with women in footy is tremendous and we have been involved, the same as Melbourne, for a couple of years now.

“It’s a great opportunity for them but a really good opportunity for both the footy clubs as well.”

Higgins said his teammates were looking forward  to training alongside the women’s team in the lead-up to the game – as they prepare for their respective clash against Melbourne on Sunday.

“They probably give us a bit of advice to be honest,” he joked.

“Last year I was fortunate enough that I could do a bit more giving that I wasn’t playing - I attended a few training sessions and helped out on match day.

“This year obviously I will be playing after them but I believe they are down this week for a couple of training sessions and will join in with the boys for a little bit of training before our game.

“That’ll be great and the boys can share a bit of advice after that.”

While the exhibition match is a step in the right direction, the 26-year-old forward is hopeful that women’s football can capitalise on the momentum in the coming years.

“There’d be no limit, I guess, it’s really good to [have] a one off game but hopefully in the next few years you get more than that,” he said.

“Talking to the girls they love the experience and it gives them a little bit of acknowledgement as well for the hard work that they put in – so hopefully we can expand on it.”