HAWTHORN midfielder Jonathan O’Rourke says he is growing in confidence at AFL level.

O’Rourke has played in the Hawks’ first two matches this season, collecting 16 disposals in Round 1 against Geelong and 18 disposals in Round 2 against West Coast Eagles.

“With the team having a good win and me personally getting some good footy together on the day, it definitely brings a bit of confidence back for myself and made me feel like I belong out there,” O’Rourke told SportsDay Radio on Thursday night.

This was the first time O’Rourke had played consecutive games at senior level since the end of 2014, when he was a GWS Giant.

Injuries hampered O’Rourke early in his AFL career, before he was joined the Hawks after the 2014 season.

After two AFL games last season, and some consistent performances at VFL level, O’Rourke appears to be one of the Hawks’ young players ready to stamp their claims for more senior opportunities in 2016.

“Blokes like Billy Hartung, Daniel Howe and James Sicily played on the weekend (against the Eagles), and I got to play a fair bit of footy with them last year in the VFL.

“To go with them up to the AFL and play alongside them again, it definitely makes it a lot more comfortable.

“Ever since being at Hawthorn I’ve really got my body right – touch wood – and can continue to play footy at the top level.”

The Hawks have had two tough challenges to start the season, and it won’t get any easier this week against the ladder-leading Western Bulldogs.

“They’ve obviously had a great start this year,” O’Rourke said.

“Watching a few of their games on TV, they’re pretty exciting and they look quite quick off the half back line.

“We just need to turn up the way we did on Sunday and put our best foot forward, otherwise they’ll probably run over the top of us.”