Fracturing his elbow midway through his first season on an AFL list may have been a blessing in disguise for young midfielder Shaun Higgins.

The talented former Geelong Falcon said the chance to observe senior football from a distance after his operation was a boost to his football education.

Not that he wasn’t shattered when the injury occurred, back in round 13, 2006.

"[The severity of the injury] probably didn't sink in until a week later," Higgins told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“I was over in Perth and I had to get the surgery done, and then I flew back.

"Going and watching a couple of games over the next couple of weeks, it started to sink in that … I was a chance to not play again for the year.

"Especially with the guys playing in finals, which we haven't done for so many years, it was so disappointing to miss out on that."

Now, after an impressive start to 2007, Higgins believes he has emerged from his experience with injury a better player.

"Being able to watch the games last year… you know what's involved in having to come up, week in and week out," he said.

"Playing five games was great, I wanted to play a senior game in my first year and I didn't really expect when I was going to get the chance, so to play round nine and then get five games under my belt was more than I expected.

"Just getting a taste in your first year holds you in good stead for your future years."

For a player who has racked up only seven senior games and suffered a horrific injury in just his fifth, Higgins appears remarkably at ease with the pace and standard of senior football.

He's not surprised at how easily he has slotted into the line-up – and in the eyes of many, into the Dogs' best 22. He attributes his speedy acceptance to the club's welcoming nature.

"It happened pretty quickly, but it feels like I've been there for more than 14 months," he said.

"Once you get in and around the guys, everyone helps you out and you fit in pretty quickly."

Higgins was a Geelong supporter as a kid, having grown up in the coastal areas of Victoria, but quickly switched allegiances to the Dogs once he became one in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft.

He thought he was more on the radar of the Hawks and the Lions as draft day loomed, and was surprised to become a Dog.

"I spoke to the Bulldogs at the Draft Camp, and then I caught up with them once after that," he said.

"I actually didn't think I'd go to the Bulldogs, I thought a couple of the other clubs who had earlier shown interest were more keen, and then for whatever reason, I slipped through and went to the Bulldogs, which has been perfect.

"As the Bulldogs have shown this year and last year, we're an exciting team. It's been the best case scenario for me. The style is good, they let you not so much play your own game, but take risks and take the opposition on, which is something I like doing.

"Unlike other clubs who try and shut the game down, ‘Rocket’ really encourages us to run and take them on, and I think we all enjoy that."

At only 19 and with five games behind him at the start of this season, Higgins – who models himself on champion midfielders Simon Black and Ben Cousins - is still eligible to be nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star.

While he refused to admit it's a goal for him, he conceded it would be ‘nice’ to receive a nomination some time this year – and if he continues to play like he did in round two, that day can't be too far away.

"It would be good to get a nomination and to see what happens from there," he said.

"I've got to keep hoping to play in the seniors, so at the moment that's really my goal. If the Rising Star comes along, that's just a bonus.

"You don't really think about it when you're playing, but if you have a good game, you might consider yourself as being a chance."

Higgins will return to the operating theatre at the end of the season to have the pieces of metal that hold his elbow together removed.

Those foreign objects are the only reminder of the injury that ended his 2006 season. He says he has full confidence in the joint and doesn't even think about it when playing.

"The elbow has been fine since I had the surgery on it," he said.

"I've got plates and screws in it, but competing, I've had no issues. I've been playing and not even thinking about it. Hopefully it stays like that."