The Bulls trounced newcomer North Warrnambool Warriors 58-12 in round one before Warrnambool Raiders inflicted a 36-16 defeat on Saturday.

"We were brought back to earth rather convincingly by the Raiders," Da Ros said.

"We possibly got carried away with a big win the week before and didn't turn up mentally prepared.

"We let them run at us too much and they took full advantage of it."

MORE SPORT:

Da Ros believes the Bulls can respond when they play Horsham Panthers at Deakin University's The Pond on Saturday.

"We've got to go back to our basic structures and play to them and have confidence in them," he said.

"If we pick up our defence, we should be right."

Horsham is coming off 52-0 belting at the hands of reigning premier Naracoorte Jets. But Da Ros is wary of what the Panthers might throw at his Bulls.

"They got beat up a bit against Naracoorte but they have a very good forward pack and their outside backs are pretty strong and run all game," he said.

The undefeated Warrnambool Raiders play Mount Gambier in round three, while North Warrnambool Warriors, in its first season in the competition, plays Naracoorte next after falling to the Knights 46-14 in round two.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.