DUMPED premiership star Shane Biggs isn't far from regaining the form that made him an integral part of the Western Bulldogs' 2016 Grand Final triumph, says backline coach Steven King.

Just nine rounds into the season, Biggs has already been dropped to the VFL twice, with recruit Hayden Crozier and draftee Ed Richards preferred ahead of him in the defensive playmaker roles.

However, King said a 26-possession performance for Footscray on the weekend was an indication the 26-year-old was returning his creative best.

"He had a really good game on the weekend, his first three quarters were very good," King told AFL.com.au.

"He's starting to build confidence and use the ball really well, so when Shane's at this best his pressure is really good and he's defending well.

"Hopefully he can keep replicating that and putting pressure on spots in the senior team."

While the attacking side of his game appears to be improving, Biggs has only laid four tackles in his past three VFL hit-outs.

King said Biggs is more than capable of contributing defensively and recalled a memorable passage of play the defender was central to in the gripping final quarter of the 2016 Grand Final.

With just over seven minutes to go, the defender played like a man possessed with several pressure acts locking the ball in the Dogs' forward line, and his desperation set up an important goal to Liam Picken.

"This game always throws up challenges and it's hard to stay at that level, but Shane certainty has the capacity to do that regularly, and that moment in the Grand Final has been referenced many times because it was such a significant effort," King said.

"It's mental, it's physical, it's just having that belief and backing himself to get back to that level.

"If Shane can build his game around defensive pressure around the footy, the rest of his game will take care of itself."

King is happy with the contributions Crozier and Richards are making as defensive playmakers, with the dynamic duo doing well in the absence of Biggs and the retired of club greats Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd.

The pair forming a young and inexperienced defence with intercept specialists Bailey Williams and Aaron Naughton.

"Those young players' ability to step up and take responsibility has been massive for us, and we've asked a fair bit of them at times, especially when we've conceded plenty of inside 50s," King said.

"The opportunity they've had to grow and develop is going to be beneficial later in the year and for seasons to come."

In his second year in charge of the backline, King has had to deal with a number of key injuries with Dale Morris, Marcus Adams and Easton Wood all spending large chunks on the sidelines.

But the tide is starting to turn after Morris and Adams resumed in the VFL last week following long-term setbacks, and young key defenders Naughton and Kieran Collins due back in the next fortnight.

The Dogs also have key defensive options Lewis Young and premiership stopper Fletcher Roberts biding their time with Footscray.

"The bar is starting to raise for competition for spots, and it also allows the match committee to play them in different areas of the ground," King said.

"Lewis Young is one who has played forward in his junior career and has a great tank, so he certainly has the flexibility to do that.

"It's going to be a great problem to have."