MITCH Cullen's had a longer wait than most to have his first game in charge.
The Bulldogs opted not to field a first-grade side in last year's Newcastle Rugby League competition during COVID-19, wiping out Cullen's initial chance to take the main reins.
This campaign was all set to go, a little earlier than normal with an expanded 18 rounds, but wet weather saw round one postponed for the Coalfields club last weekend.
It means the Bulldogs' meeting with Central at Kurri Sportsground on Good Friday will be a much-anticipated moment for junior product Cullen.
"I've had a year to think about it," Cullen, 28, said.
"I had a little taste in the COVID year [lower grades], but went away, came back and we've got a good squad together. So now it's a matter of working with the boys to try and get them back to where they were before they finished."
Cullen, whose eldest child Oakland is about to start mini league at Kurri, will unveil three former NRL signings at once in round two via Tyler Randell, Nathan Ross and Frank-Paul Nu'uausala.
"If you'd asked me if I'd sign them three last year I probably would have laughed at you," Cullen said.
"We already had Frank, but I worked with Tyler a bit and finally got him over the line with Rossy at the same time."
Cullen and Ross played the 2013 grand final together at the Bulldogs.
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