Western Bulldogs midfielder Liam Picken says his side will use the weekend’s loss as a learning experience, after the Bulldogs went down to St Kilda by seven points.

Speaking with Croc Media’s Sportsday Radio on Monday, Picken said it was important to also take away some big positives from the match.

“The first half was great, we had the intensity in the forward half, a lot of turnovers that created some goals but the intensity dropped off in the second half.

“Obviously we’re a young side developing and there’s probably going to be speed humps, and that’s the biggest thing we learned from the weekend.”

Despite the loss, Picken said the mood around the Club was still upbeat, after a positive start to the season.

“There’s a really good feeling around the Club, there’s a lot of excitement and we haven’t had this opportunity for the last few years.

“We’re learning and just really looking forward to how things are going to pan out, because we really don’t know.”

Much like the team around him, Picken has relished a new opportunity under senior coach Luke Beveridge, with the 28-year-old given license to roam free through the midfield, after varying roles in recent times.

Picken has averaged 30 disposals in the last three weeks, and currently sits second on the Bulldogs’ leader board in the AFLCA Player of the Year award.

“The past six years I’ve had a number of different roles, forward/back and through the midfield.

“It’s a different opportunity this year, different game style, you adapt… so it’s been really good fitting into Bevo’s game plan, it’s really exciting.

“I’ve just got to take my opportunity.”