Hayden Leopold impresses against his former club Orange City to help Bulldogs win

Playing on the wing, Leopold scored two tries and set up another against his former club Orange City to help Bulldogs to a 62-28 victory at Anne Ashwood Park on Saturday.

While Bulldogs coach Dean Oxley could not be drawn to comment on Leopold's locks other than to admit "I had a mullet back in the day, but I'm not responsible for bringing it back", he was happy to talk about his new player.

"Standout players today ... I have to mention Hayden Leopold playing his first first grade game for Bulldogs. Obviously coming from Orange City was a big issue I suppose in regards to him moving across," Oxley said.

"He came to try and win a premiership and to play with some good footballers with good structure, so it was pleasing to see him do well."

Looking to add to their season opening win against Dubbo with success at Ashwood Park, Bulldogs did just that.

They scored the first of 10 tries at the four minute mark via a Dylan Carter pick and drive and from there didn't look back.

They forced the Lions back in the scrum, pilfered at the breakdown, tackled with aggression, stretched them out wide, and had plenty of positive talk.

After leading 31-7 at the break - that tally including a penalty try - Bulldogs reached 50 before conceding again.

A gutsy Lions outfit tried to switch momentum, scoring back-to-back tries after a quick penalty tap saw Tom Nell over before a Keegan Harding line break set up Tom Westcott, but Bulldogs were able to respond.

Justin Mobbs scored a second half brace, one of them set up by a Leopold intercept on his own 22, while the man with the mullet added to his first half try when a Peter FItzsimmons cut-out ball put him into space.

Though Bulldogs conceded a penalty try on the siren, in the main Oxley liked what he saw.

"We spoke about our attitude in regards to being disciplined and not getting ahead of ourselves. This competition is five very hard games per round, you just don't get a break and if you go out there and switch off, you're going to get hurt," he said.

"We are priding ourselves on this home ground again and are setting some targets like we did last year in regards to being undefeated at home."

As well as being impressed with Leopold, Oxley praised the efforts of Mobbs, Riley Hanrahan and prop Sean Fogarty.

Orange City coach Viv Paasi acknowledged that Bulldogs were just too good for his side, yet was able to see positives in defeat.

Though at times lacking in discipline and execution, he was pleased to see his Lions show determination throughout the contest.

"I guess that penalty try speaks volumes, it shows we never give up until the final whistle," he said.

"It was something we spoke about during the week, that is was going to be a physical encounter. Physically we matched up, there were a few late changes and then we copped a few injuries in second grade, which had an impact on this game.

"But what that did is it built some really good resilience in the guys and we are going to be able to draw on that going forward.

"Bathurst are a good side, well drilled, and it's a credit to them to be able to come out and do what they did today.

"It was great hit out for our guys and gives a good look at what is probably the benchmark of the competition."

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