Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley credits a mid-game "mind-set" change for the AFL comeback win over the Western Bulldogs.

The Kangaroos trailed by 37-points in the third term before winning by 11 points at Telstra Dome.

"For the players to change their mindsets mid-game shows the character of some of the people at the club," Laidley said.

"Players that were ordinary in the first half stepped up in the second to smother the Western Bulldogs midfield and squash their confidence."

The Kangaroos tightened up on their opponents after halftime and starting winning much more of the ball out of the centre.

Laidley said captain Anthony Stevens initially just "couldn't get into it, he was a bit off today".

However, like many others who were failing in the beginning, Laidley said "his contribution in the second half was very good".

Another veteran player who turned his game around was utility David King, who made a couple of glaring errors in the first half but was much more composed when the game became tight.

"King was pretty up and down to say the least," Laidley said.

"But when the game was absolutely at his hottest his ability to use the ball and run hard was very good.

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