WESTERN Bulldogs ruckman Jordan Roughead had 10 disposals, 21 hit-outs and a goal in his return from hamstring surgery for Footscray on Saturday afternoon at North Port Oval. 

The Dogs lost to Port Melbourne by 30 points but the premiership player was otherwise happy to be back.

Roughead injured his right hamstring in a JLT Community Series match against Melbourne in February. 

Asked how his hamstring felt, Roughead was concise.

"Good," Roughead said after the game. 

Did he pull up alright?

"No dramas," he said. 

Roughead played most of the game in the ruck.

His return is important considering the Dogs' recent plight with big men. Tom Boyd has been given the ruck mantle, with Tom Campbell not having played in the senior side for three straight matches.

Midfielders Josh Dunkley and Lin Jong have been used as ruckmen, although Dunkley will miss about three months after a left shoulder reconstruction.

Key forward Travis Cloke is also on the sidelines with broken ribs. 

Roughead said he felt rusty but expects to improve in the coming weeks. 

"I'd forgotten how hard the game was. The lungs blew up pretty early but as they say, I'll be better for the run," he said. 

Meanwhile, tough onballer Mitch Wallis won 29 disposals in another impressive display as Port Melbourne ran away with the victory, 17.9 (111) to 12.9 (81).