Success starts at the stoppage.

It’s a fundamental of the game, a key element of Brendan McCartney’s mantra at the Kennel, but also a stat that stacks up with success league wide.

Reflecting on the Bulldogs victory over Melbourne, half-back Shaun Higgins suggested the momentum swings in the contest was spurred by who was on-top around the clearances.

“I think a lot of games this year have been similar, not just us but other teams,” Higgins told SEN’s The Run Home.

“You look at the momentum of the game and you go back to the stats and who is winning the contested footy and the stoppages and winning the hardball and it reflects the scoreboard.

“Our game revolves around that and that is what it’s based on, so we know when we are not doing that then it’s not going to be great on the scoreboard.

“We probably let that slip in the third quarter [against Melbourne].”

While the Bulldogs ability to convert ascendancy around the ball to the scoreboard is improving,  Higgins said his side's capacity to stunt opposing sides' scoreboard impact when the game is not on their terms is still an area for improvement.

“You know what footy is like, it swings momentum either way,” he said.

“I guess the team that can hold the other side and lock the game down when the momentum’s not going their way, more than likely will win the game because your turn is going to come to score.

“At the moment we are scoring when it’s our term ok but we are probably not stemming the flow enough when we lose momentum.

“We have been focused on that and we will continue to do so.”

 In the midst of his most prolific ball winning season, Higgins is averaging a career high 21.4 disposals per game in 2014, something he attributes to an uninterrupted pre-season.

“It was definitely a goal all pre-season and something of my focus to put a good, consistent block of footy together and I feel like I’ve been able to do that,” said Higgins.

“To play every game thus far this season was definitely a focus and to contribute as well, so we will just continue to build for the last third of this season.”

Higgins is also ranked second at the Club in both total rebound 50s and uncontested possessions, and fifth for total possessions.