Western Bulldogs defender Shane Biggs says confidence is key to players stepping up and taking their opportunity at AFL level this year.

The Bulldogs have used 37-players on their list of 44 this season – the equal most of any top-eight side - including Biggs who returned to the senior side in round 17 against Collingwood.

None have looked out of place at senior level.

Biggs says the confidence gained from playing at VFL level for Foostcray has been important in the seamless transition between the two sides.

“It probably helps with the Footscray team, we play the exact same way in the twos so when guys come up they can be confident they know everything and everything will take care of itself when they play senior footy.”

Biggs is averaging 25 disposals from his last three games and on the weekend stepped up in the absence of influential running half-backs Bob Murphy and Jason Johannisen.

The 24-year-old says he is making his most of his time in the senior side after spending the bulk of the season with Footscray.

“It’s just good to get a game, I was out for a long while and it’s just good to be back in the team and playing with the team you’re training with.

“I’m really loving it and the team’s going well which is obviously the main thing.”

The Bulldogs will take on Melbourne this Sunday at Etihad Stadium, with the round eight match between the two sides earlier this year Biggs’ first for the Club.

Despite the disappointing result from that match last time, Biggs said the Dogs would take confidence into the return game from their last month of football.

“We get a lot of confidence from the last few weeks and we’ve been playing some really good footy so we’re going to play how we have been the last month and everything should take care of itself hopefully and we’ll get a good win.”