New lease on life at Bulldogs for Joe Stimson

Stimson made the move to Sydney three years after making his NRL debut for Melbourne Storm.

While the impact of the coronavirus, coupled with a shoulder complaint, have soured his start at with new club the Temora product is really enjoying his new club.

"It has been good and I've really enjoyed the pre-season stuff," Stimson said.

"I felt like I've been there for 10 years even though it is my first year.

"They have been very welcoming and it has been different but in a good way."

The 25-year-old came through the junior ranks with the Storm, but after enjoying so much success with the club, who have played in two of the last three grand finals, the second rower is really enjoying his new environment.

"They are team who want to improve and are quite hungry to improve," Stimson said. "I think they way they train and how everyone wants to get better is pretty impressive.

"Down at the Storm everyone was already established and knew what they wanted to do, but with the depth of the squad we have now you need to be at your best at training to keep your spot as everyone is young and wanting to prove themselves as a NRL player."

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While the Bulldogs suffered two close losses to start the season Stimson admitted the impact of the coronavirus made for two very different experiences.

The first was the season opener against Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium before the clash with North Queensland Cowboys was played behind closed doors at ANZ Stadium.

"It was like you were playing a scrimmage match at training," he said.

"It was so quiet and when I came off one of the guys made a break and you don't even realise someone is going to score a try as there is no noise.

"It was a very weird feeling running out on a big stadium like ANZ and having no one there. It was a bit eerie to be honest."

However he loved the atmosphere during his first game for the club, which was also his first at the new stadium.

"That was my first time playing at Bankwest and it was one of the best stadiums I've played at in terms of the atmosphere and how close the crowd feels to you," Stimson said.

The third experience - no NRL games - is the weirdest yet with Stimson admitting with the short turnaround going from playing in front of crowds, to no crowds to not all felt crazy.

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