Bulldogs seek killer instinct after back-to-back losses

The new-look Bulldogs led by a point at three quarter time in round one against Coolamon, and the signs were strong despite fading late to lose by 19 points.

But much of that was undone with an 87-point defeat at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Saturday, where they squandered early chances to trail 5.2 (32) to 0.5 (5) at quarter time.

The Lions backed that up with a five goals-to-one second term to virtually seal the win.

"All the important factors showed the game should have been pretty even (at quarter time), but there was a five-goal margin," Mazzocchi said.

"I think our boys just dropped the effort in the second quarter. The third quarter was pretty close, but it was beyond saving.

"We were getting inside 50s but we had no key forwards and they had Riley Corbett (eight goals), that was the big difference in the game."

Mazzocchi said building that ruthless, win-at-all-costs mentality in the club will take time.

"That's going to come off the back of learning how to win, which is what we spoke about after the Coolamon game," he said.

"We were up by a point at three quarter time and probably should have gone on to win, but we maybe didn't know how to win that game.

"This (week) was a bit the same where they were a bit too accepting of it. Once we build a winning culture and they start to win, then they start to hate to lose, whereas at the moment it's all too acceptable when they get behind.

"That's something we have to continue to work on and that's where our leaders need to step up a bit more, and take on more of a role.

"We've spoken about that and I'm sure they will this week, I'm sure they'll put a bit more emphasis on the game.

"They're the ones who have to bite the bullet and rally the troops and make sure we continue to fight in games."

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Turvey Park are sorely missing key forward Mitch Ward, who looked strong before succumbing to a hamstring injury against Coolamon, while last year's leading goalkicker Brad Ashcroft (back) is some chance of returning this week.

"We rolled guys through that forward structure but none are key forwards who can take that contested mark and make their backs accountable. Their backs did pretty much what they wanted to do really."

Mazzocchi said they're far from panic stations just yet and said it was always going to take time to come together as a unit with so many new faces.

"Had you said a month ago would we be unbeaten after two rounds? Not a chance. We're a work in progress but we have to pick up wins along the way," Mazzocchi said.

"We're certainly not throwing the baby out with the bathwater just yet."