Coming off a season in which the Bulldogs conceded more than 32 points per game, it's little wonder new coach Kevin Moore was happy with his side's first-up defensive effort against St George Illawarra.

After all, giving up just 24 points is better than a 25 per cent improvement.

But while the Dragons' 24-12 trial win in Wollongong would indicate a easy night out for the home side, Moore said there was a lot to like about the way his new-look side performed, particularly at the defensive end.

"Over the first 60 minutes we conceded three tries and one of them was an intercept," Moore said.

"There was probably a couple of errors in regard to what individuals were doing.

"Brad Morrin might have a broken hand and he missed a one on one tackle for their third try so there's an excuse there, (plus) the intercept, so for the rest of the 80 minutes I thought we were good."

No fewer than eight off-season recruits had their first run in a blue and white jumper on Saturday night, the wave of new faces among the best for the reigning wooden spooners.

The combination between hooker Michael Ennis and halfback Brett Kimmorley looked sharp, while props Michael Hodgson and Ben Hannant gave the Bulldogs the sort of go forward they have been craving since the departure of powerful trio Roy Asotasi, Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason.

"I thought all the new buys were outstanding, I thought our first 40 minutes in particular was really good," Moore said.

"We expected that and that's why we bought those sort of players. I think both Michael (Ennis) and Noddy (Kimmorley) were really good.

"For a team that's got a lot of new faces on board, this week and next week are really important for us and I thought what came out of tonight is that there's going to be a lot of positives."

While Morrin has yet to undergo scans on his injured hand, Bulldogs officials said they were almost certain he had suffered a fracture of the fourth metacarpal, an injury which is likely to sideline the versatile forward for about a month.

The Bulldogs will spend the next three days in camp in Kiama on the NSW south coast before heading to Brisbane for their final trial against Canberra on Saturday night.

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