The improvement across the Western Bulldogs playing group in 2015 has been immense, but perhaps no more so than for Roarke Smith.

Picked up in the 2015 AFL Rookie Draft, Smith was upgraded to the senior list and earned his AFL debut within the list week.

Making the trip across the Nullarbor for his first senior game, Smith said despite a loss against the Eagles, he has taken mostly positives out of the experience.

“I loved every minute of it, and so many positives to come out of the game.

“The loss obviously doesn’t help but I’m not really thinking about that too much.

“I’m just thinking about the experience, the journey of the weekend and it was just an unbelievable feeling.”

Smith held his own on Sunday, showing glimpses of the electric form he’s shown off half-back for Footscray this season.

The defender said the speed was most notable between AFL and VFL football.

“It would definitely have to be the speed of the game, as soon as you get the ball, someone’s coming after you for a tackle and you’ve got the split decision to make.

“The boys are a lot quicker… I’m a bit sore today just from running so much and the speed of the game.”

Despite standing at 181cm, Smith is known for his vertical leap but says he’s better learned how to use it this season.

“I remember last year (at TAC Cup level) a lot of the time I’d just try and jump and take an amazing mark.

“Now this year they’ve got me focused on the right time when to spoil and when to mark so I think I’ve learned a lot from that.

“’Bubba’ (Rohan Smith) and Jordan Russell (Footscray captain and Development Coach) helped me out heaps with that, so that’s probably my biggest improvement.”