Bulldogs forward David Klemmer has enlisted the services of former New South Wales and Australian representative Jim Dymock to help him complete his shift to the back row.
Dymock – an assistant to Bulldogs coach Des Hasler – has helped Klemmer's transition into the No. 13 jumper over the past six games he has been available.
The 22-year-old's move has seen him spend an extra seven minutes on the field on average per game with his yardage and defensive work increasing (12.8 metres, 2.3 tackles per game).
It doesn't sound like much, but any opportunity to have the Bulldogs firebrand on the field for longer stints has bred plenty of positives for the club.
"It's nothing too different to me. I'm not playing a traditional lock role where they act like another five-eighth or anything like that," Klemmer said.
"This is another chapter for me in progressing as a footballer moving forward, I've been looking after my motor because I was so used to playing 30-40 minutes but that was my role then. Now it's about me progressing.
"(Dymock) was a good defender so he's into me every day about little things I have to improve on and I love it. It is how you're going to improve to be the best."
Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds believes Klemmer's new role suits him but highlighted another teammate as being his side's best in recent weeks.
Prior to the Bulldogs' last start 36-0 loss to reigning premiers North Queensland, the club had won their past four games and Reynolds believes Sam Kasiano's performances were a massive reason behind their run of form.
"There's always a period where the forwards of each team slog it out but Sammy has one or two runs and it changes the game," Reynolds said.
"It's tough because he probably wants to start as everyone does, but he's just doing what he needs to do for the team. I take my hat off to him because he's never been grumpy about it or whatever.
"Sammy comes on, rips in, has a breather and comes on and does it again which has been perfect for us. If he's happy doing that then I'm definitely just as happy because I just base my game around him now."
Fellow forward Aiden Tolman labelled the Samoan international's form as "unbelievable" even with his game time limited to just 30 minutes per game.
"I think Sam's changed a game on several occasions for us. Just about every time he comes on, he either: creates a try, gets a penalty or gets us in good field position to attack," Tolman said.
"He's been doing that really well. I think that role coming off the bench is such an important part of our game now. With the limited interchange, those guys can come on and really do some damage."
