New-look Bulldogs starting to find their feet after improved showing against North Wagga

After taking some time to find his feet in his first game for the Bulldogs, the leading forward jagged six marks and kicked three goals in a promising outing before their season opener against Coolamon in three weeks.

Coach Michael Mazzocchi said their structures were much improved after Ward and fellow key forward Brad Ashcroft both missed last week's clash with Charles Sturt University.

"There's still a couple of individuals who have to work on that efficiency a bit more, but overall the decision making and connection with our forwards was better," Mazzocchi said.

"Last week it was a bit harder because we didn't have either of our key forwards playing. whereas this week Mitch came down from Canberra and he gave us that structure.

"He battled a bit in the first quarter but after that he really gave us that good hit up lead. His leading pattern straightened us up and brought us through the corridor, giving us a target.

"Dan Leary will play as a high forward and he was pretty good too.

"In the fourth quarter both teams threw in their second graders so it blew out to quite a margin when both sides started putting blokes everywhere.

"There was no major injuries, but a few sore bodies because it was a pretty competitive game."

Another Canberra recruit Stephen Camp was the Bulldogs' leading disposal getter on the day, while Darcy Irvine was dangerous on a wing and Matt Ness was impressive rotating through the midfield.

Harry Stapleton also impressed spending time in the midfield and up forward.

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