Saturday spelt a hard entrance into the state's top flight, as the Bulls were handed a 35-7 loss by Wyndham City Rhinos in round one of the competition.
Coach Sonny Tahuriorangi was far from worried, nor was he disappointed at the result.
Rather, the man in charge saw the game as the first leg of a wide learning curve attached to the Bulls’ new territory.
“Considering it was our first game in about two years as we had no pre-season, I thought the boys did well. There were more positives than negatives to take out of the game,” he said.
“I reckon we had about 10 car loads of supporters there, it was really good to hear our home crowd.
“There are no easy games in this division and the boys know that — we are the underdogs and will happily take that tag.”
A completely facelifted Bulls 15 took to the field against the Rhinos.
Returning prop Wayne Tafaogo crossed the line for the Shepparton's only try as Wyndham proved too slick on its home patch.
But the 28-point deficit was one which Tahuriorangi identified as a work in progress and could only help but feel his Bulls will galvanise as time passes.
“We’ve probably only kept about four players from our 2019 side and have brought back some of our squad from 2018,” he said.
“We are a new team and are still feeling each other out at the moment.
“I’ve told everyone I’m not too worried about the score line until round three.
“By then I’m hoping we will have gelled and have had the chance to see how all of the players play.”
The Bulls hit Vibert Reserve to take on premiership favourite Kiwi Hawthorn this Saturday.
It's a game which Tahuriorangi labels a "big test", but he also knows it signals another week closer to finding the right mix with his renewed Bulls roster.
More local sport
Familiar faces shine in Bendigo at various state championship events
Mooroopna motocross spectacular goes off without a hitch
Lloyd Ohlin recognised for his contribution with GMGA Volunteer of the year Award
18°C