The man in charge has so far comfortably led his team to trial wins against the Bathurst Panthers and Belconnen Scholars before grinding out a contested win over an improved West Belconnen Warriors side.

He expects tomorrow night’s opener against Queanbeyan’s “monster” pack to be “a good test” for his squad.

“I don’t want them [the team] to get ahead of themselves and get cocky,” Picker said.

“I want to keep them in check and to make them remember that a try’s a try.”

“We sort of showed in the trials that we can score points. But in saying that, we have to earn the right to attack; we can’t be dropping the ball.

Former Manly NRL player Michael Bani looks set to make his debut for the club along with former Queanbeyan Blue Blake Hewitt, both of whom add to the strong numbers the Bulldogs have seen this preseason.

The Manly 41-game veteran looks set to slot into a sought after fullback position, while Hewitt is expected to slip into lock.

The strong numbers, however, have proved a headache for Picker with competition for playing spots fierce.

It’s a good problem to have,” Picker explains.

“With no George Tooke teams here in Goulburn anymore there are now guys who have come over and who are probably good enough quality to be looked at in first grade for us.”

Picker expects tomorrow night’s clash to be a messy affair.

He points out the ball has been like “a bar of soap” at training due to heavy dew and he expects conditions tomorrow night to be no different.

“It will be like playing in the wet,” he said. He goes on: “I can’t see an easy game in the comp this year.”

“The last few years there have probably been a few teams that have struggled a bit, but now just with the movements in the off season and the changes every team is going to be tough.

“And us being the little guys, if our halves and guys in the middle sort of aren’t working and being smart about what we do, it’s going to be hard for us.”

One believer is Workers Bulldogs president Joe Stephens, who hopes the club can “take the bull by the horns.”

He encourages spectators to attend the opening round at the Workers Arena which will embrace a family day atmosphere.

“There will be a jumping castle for the kids, face painting plus a fire juggler,” Stephens said.

First grade kicks off at 8pm at the Workers Arena. Under-18s kicks-off beforehand at 5pm and reserve grade at 6.30pm.