But more important than ending a five-game losing streak against Forbes, Bulldogs’ 23-19 win proved to their coach Dean Oxley that they can be contenders this season.

“We started training in October for a reason, we wanted to get early points and that was a big one,” Oxley said.

“I had a mission this year with the boys to be in the grand final and possibly win the grand final. We have to get early points, it’s a tough competition.”

The effort against Forbes was a marked improvement from the performance which cost Bulldogs a week earlier against Orange Emus.

That the Blowes Clothing Cup win came with a handful of new faces in the side made it even better for the coach.

“We had five injuries this week and a number of guys make their debut and they didn’t let us down,” Oxley said.

“It was a big day for Harry [Peacock]. That’s a high level of football Harry probably hasn’t played before, but he’s got plenty of enthusiasm and energy. He brings that to the team and he did a wonderful job.

“Jack Gunther playing fullback out there, he gave some lovely passes and made some good runs. He did everything that he had to do his first time in first grade against the premiers and it doesn’t get any harder than that.

“We had more injuries out of this game … but the fact that we have got 80 people at training and people are wanting to put their hand up to be part of this first grade side is very pleasing from a coaching perspective.”

While the first grade side sits third on the ladder after the win over Forbes, the Bulldogs’ second grade outfit has made an even better start to 2018.

After three rounds the undefeated competition leading Bulldogs hold a six-point buffer over their nearest rival. They crushed Forbes 55-10, adding to their season-opening 76-7 victory against Cowra and 37-15 win against Orange Emus.

That sort of form means competition for spots in the first XV – something Oxley enjoys seeing.

“It was an outstanding result for the seconds and if they play the football they can play, then they are going to be very hard to beat. They have to be selected if they are playing good football, that’s what it is all about,” he said.

“We go to selection meetings and with form coming up from second grade, it makes the guys who are in firsts nervous – it’s good.”

This Saturday will see a competition general bye due to the Country Championships. Bulldogs will return to action on May 5.