Mazzocchi is a multiple premiership-winning player with The Rock-Yerong Creek and also coached the Magpies to the 2011 premiership and two more grand finals in his three years in charge.

The Bulldogs have been perennial heavyweights in the Riverina League's under-17.5 competition, claiming the 2018 and 2019 premierships before making the preliminary final of this year's AFL Riverina Championship.

But thus far that hasn't converted into success in seniors, and Mazzocchi believes his experience developing young talent will help him bridge that gap after signing as coach for the next two seasons, plus an option for a third.

Mazzocchi said his status as an institution at the Magpies was a factor he weighed up, but said the fact the Bulldogs play in another league made the decision easy.

"The reason I've taken the Turvey job on is their playing list is in my hitting zone, which is developing young footballers," he said.

"They've got a heap of good players in that age group of of 16 to 17, up to 22, and my role at the moment is developing young men and getting improvement out of them.

"We do need to add some class around them so we will be looking to recruit. But we won't recruit in big numbers because they've got the talent and if they're developed properly, they've got the natural improvement in them.

"I've signed on for multiple years, it's not a one year job. The goals are simple, we play finals next year and we look to have success from there."

Mazzocchi said his role with the Giants for the past four years, including filling their manager for talent and coaching in the southern NSW area the past year, has greatly enhanced his coaching.

"That's been massive for my development as a coach, I've learned so much and they give you so much access," he said.

"I've been to Sydney and spent the day day with (Giants coach) Leon Cameron and (midfield coach) Lenny Hayes, I've shadowed them and listened to how they explain the game and plan different things.

"The biggest thing I learned was the communication with the players and how they implement and explain the game plan.

"The timing to return to club footy felt right because I've got a son going into the Giants Academy, so from that point of view it was a good time for me to step out."

Bulldogs president Steven Marks said they were "totally convinced" Mazzocchi was their man after his interview.

"He ticked every box we were looking for. We were 100 per cent convinced he was the guy we needed," Marks said.

"He's really excited about the juniors and working with them, and we know he'll be able to develop those players. We're winning grand finals in the 17s, but it hasn't been transpiring into the seniors."

READ MORE