Lessons from Canterbury great Willie Mason are still ringing in Tevita Pangai's ears as he looks to channel the spirit of Bulldogs sides past.
The phrase "Bulldogs DNA" might be one of the most-overused in NRL lexicon, but Pangai is hoping to put the principles of yesteryear into practice.
The 27-year-old struggled to find top gear in his first season at the club and doesn't want to make the same mistakes in 2023 after being mentored by a bevy of Bulldogs legends.
"We've had Willie, Bobcat (Andrew Ryan) and Mark O'Meley come into training and that's been good because they know what winning looks like," Pangai told AAP.
"It's been good to have them among the boys because they've driven that culture that they had in their day.
"Willie has been really good for us forwards and you've got to listen to what he's got to say.
"He's played in some great teams and for some great coaches.
"He won a Clive Churchill Medal, won a competition and played for his country. When he talks you take him seriously."
Canterbury were known as "The Entertainers" and "The Dogs of War" but a new era and a chance to create a new moniker beckons under first-year coach Cameron Ciraldo.
The former Penrith No. 2 begins life with a trial against Canberra on Sunday with Pangai left in no doubt as to what his new boss wants his side to represent.
"We want to be the team that has a crack every week, no matter what the scoreline is," he said.
"This town around here, it's full of workers - they are scrappers - they scrap for everything and they've got to do what they've got to do to provide for their family.
"That's the way we want to play this year."
Pangai said he would be playing exclusively as a middle forward this year, alongside the likes of Luke Thompson, Max King and new recruit Ryan Sutton.