WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Christian Howard said the moment he put his body on the line against Hawthorn's Brendan Whitecross in the dying stages of Sunday's game at Etihad Stadium was his personal highlight from his first taste of AFL football.

The 20-year-old had 11 touches in the Dogs' 29-point loss to the Hawks in a performance where he showed his impressive leg speed and composure to not be overawed by the occasion. 

While the side didn't get the right result to go along with Howard's milestone, he said his run-in with Whitecross had given him plenty of confidence given it won the approval of his nearby teammates.

"The ball was in the middle and I was running one way and he was going the other and we both dived at the footy and I guess he came off second best," Howard told westernbulldogs.com.au this week.

"The play went on but I could hear Dale Morris and Robert Murphy just saying that's what we need, that's how we do it.

"It was best feeling; better than getting any kicks.

"All the players got around me after that, so I think I learned it doesn't matter how many kicks you get, as long as you crack in every time."

Howard didn't know until last Thursday he was in the final side, but there was still enough time to organise for his parents Justin and Marie, younger brother Thomas and all four of his grandparents to make the trip from Adelaide to watch the game.

He said the Dogs' coaching staff had been happy with his performance, which was reflected in their decision to keep him in to face Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

"I got a bit of the ball but I wasn't lighting the page up or anything. They just wanted me to have full intent and effort in everything I did, and I think I can say I did that for most of the afternoon," he said.

"It was a real building block for me.

"Rocket said it was a good first-up effort and he just said to make sure I did it again this week."

Defender James Mulligan will become the sixth Bulldog to make his senior debut this year after being named in the starting 18 for the clash with the Cats.

Howard said while the Dogs' results haven't been favourable in recent weeks having not claimed a win since round eight, the consistent injection of fresh faces had helped maintain morale.

"I reckon it's a huge factor. It's really good because it adds that sort of excitement to the game," he said.

"All the players can feed off it and we definitely started off last week's game really well; you could tell we were all fired up and ready to go.

"I'll see it better this week with James but I think it certainly helps."

He also said he would advise Mulligan not to put a cap on his excitement levels and just allow himself to enjoy the moment. 

"I reckon don't keep it under control, the more excited you can get, the less nervous you are," he said.

"I just forgot about being nervous, so if he can do that, and he knows the role he's got to play, I reckon he'll do fine.

"I've been trying to preserve that excitement I was feeling when I got told I was playing so I'm just trying to replicate exactly what I did last week.

"It's just as exciting again to run out with the boys, so I hope I can keep that up."

Howard missed the first half of last season after having an operation in late 2009 to alleviate an abnormality in his hip.

He says he hasn't had any problems with either side since despite knowing there remains a chance he will have to have his other side fixed at some point in his career.

"They've been awesome all year. I've been getting treatment all the time and there's constant upkeep of them but they haven't been giving me any trouble at all," he said.

"It's great. I'd hate to be one of those players who is constantly injured because it's just so frustrating when you are.

"I'm grateful my body has held up like it has all year."