WESTERN Bulldogs defender Lukas Markovic is preparing for a potential face-off with Essendon big man David Hille on Sunday in what will be his AFL debut.

The 24-year-old former Hawthorn rookie has been named in the Bulldogs' extended squad for the round one match and is thrilled at the prospect of facing the up-and-about Bombers.

In the absence of regular full back Brian Lake, who will miss after a limited pre-season, Markovic is anticipating matching up on Hille despite a huge nine centimetre and 13kg size difference between the two players.

"I was watching the Bombers' game the other week and he was playing a fair bit of ruck but because he's missed a bit of the pre-season, he might be down forward a bit," Markovic told afl.com.au.

"He's one of the bigger players coming out of the goal square I might be able to play on, or Michael Hurley.

"All of their forwards from what I've seen have quite a good work rate so it will be a good challenge straight up and will test the fitness to run around with those guys."

Markovic spent a year as a Hawks' rookie in 2006 before being delisted after sustaining a serious ankle problem. 

He moved to Box Hill in the VFL and was then picked up by the Dogs with selection No.63 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

He spent most of last year playing for Williamstown with a mid-year shoulder injury the main hurdle he faced.

Having grown up a Bulldogs' supporter under the influence of his father, Markovic said he was rapt to make his AFL debut in red, white and blue.

"I'm 24 now, which is still young, but there are guys debuting at 18," he said.

"It means the world to me. It's been a hard slog to get back and get another opportunity at AFL footy and to get to this position where I am.

"To get a game … it's a dream come true."

The Bulldogs will enter the Bombers clash with Lake and Ryan Hargrave missing from their regular back six.

However, Markovic said he wouldn't be intimidated if he remained as the last line of defence after spending most of his career matched up on deep forwards.

"I've found over the years at VFL level I've played in some really close games where they've cleared the forward line out and I've been one-out in the goal square," he said.

"I don't mind having pressure on me, or a bit of nerves before a game and out on the field. It helps keep me aware of things."

He also said he was keen to embrace the challenge of holding his own in the Bulldogs' renowned reliable defence.

"It's actually motivating to have such quality defenders around there," he said.

"I'm not there to just make up numbers; if I'm out there I'm expecting to make an impact on the side."

Markovic played in three rounds of the NAB Cup/Challenge series and faced off with Geelong's Tom Hawkins, Fremantle's John Anthony and the Brisbane Lions' Bryce Retzlaff before missing the final game with back soreness.

Lukas Markovic is a $97,600 defender in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.