WESTERN BULLDOGS coach Brendan McCartney will continue to use Shaun Higgins in defence, despite the talented playmaker having a few lapses as he adapts to life in the backline.

Predominately used as creative half-forward during his eight injury-plagued seasons at the club, McCartney says the 26-year-old complements his more accountable teammates in the back half.

"What one defender doesn't give you, Shaun does," McCartney said on Thursday morning

"There's a need for us to play that creative type across half-back at times.

"He's had his defensive moments, but he's also given us some really good attacking play too.

"Really good teams complement each other."

Gold Coast's Brandon Matera slipped away from Higgins at times during last week's loss to the Suns, but McCartney sees merit in persisting with a move he doesn't consider an experiment.

He says Higgins just needs to find a balance between attack and defence.

"He's playing there, he's spent time there over the summer," he said.

"What Shaun has got to work on, is what other defenders do.

"It's a prerequisite for every player that you defend when you need to, you attack early when you can."

Higgins won't have to look too far for defensive inspiration this week, with the Dogs to host a Fremantle outfit widely considered the best defensive team in the competition, at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

McCartney forecast "two or three" changes to the team that lost to the Suns by 45 points.

Jarrad Grant looks set to play his first game of the season after training strongly on Thursday morning.

The 24-year-old has impressed in the VFL since returning from a broken foot, including a three-goal haul last weekend.