It is their work ethic in defence and attack which has played an integral role in seeing the Bulldogs sit on top of the ladder after four rounds.

On Saturday when squaring off with defending premiers Orange Emus, it was lock Justin Mobbs and flanker Harry Peacock who scored Bulldogs' only tries.

It helped the Bathurst side to a fourth consecutive win - prevailing 21-15 - and condemned Emus to their worst start to a season since 2014.

That those tries came under pressure in the closing stages after both had been involved in an absorbing, physical battle with the Emus pack made them even better.

It was not the first time this season that the Bulldogs forwards had decided the outcome of a match either.

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Bulldogs' scrum and line-out helped them fight back from a 12-0 deficit to beat Forbes and in round one prop Aaron Booby scored an important double against the Dubbo Kangaroos.

"Our pack has been leading from the front. The platform for our backs has been outstanding, the way they have just played the hard yards in defence and attack," Bulldogs coach Dean Oxley said.

"I'm really proud of what they've done. They're not a big pack, but they play as an eight."

Oxley was also proud of the way his entire side responded when under pressure from the Emus at Ashwood Park.

They were held tryless in the first half but came from 15-9 down to beat the defending premiers at Ashwood Park.

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"I think when they were down to 14 men and they kicked a penalty in that time, that was the critical moment when we really could have fallen apart. We had the advantage and we didn't execute points at that particular time," he said.

"But it was a moment in that game where we decided to stick with what we know and it got us over the line."