EIGHT years ago when the Bathurst Bulldogs’ first grade side last tasted glory on Central West Rugby Union’s grand final day, one of the club’s emerging talents enjoyed his own premiership success story.
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Justin Mobbs was a member of the Bathurst Bulldogs colts outfit that was crowned champions at Cale Oval on that same day - September 11, 2010.
Before the first XV produced a mighty effort to sink Narromine 27-15 on their home turf, the Bulldogs’ colts celebrated a 27-10 triumph against CSU.
Mobbs was amongst those to score for the victors, crossing four minutes from full-time.
Fast-forward to 2018 and Mobbs is now a member of the Bulldogs first grade side that is looking to claim the Blowes Clothing Cup for the first time since that win at Narromine.
And for Mobbs himself, Saturday’s grand final against Orange Emus offers him the chance to become a premiership winner for the first time since 2010 as well.
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“I’ve played in one grand final since back then, the second grade grand final last year, but we lost that one,” Mobbs said.
He was was captain-coach of that second grade side last season and played his rugby at fullback. He did get a taste of first grade – playing on the wing – but this year he has become a regular in the top team in the second row.
“I’m probably just older and slower,” Mobbs laughed when asked about the move.
“I’m still learning as I’ve not even played half the season because I’ve had injuries.”
When it comes to talking about this Saturday, Mobbs adopts a more serious tone. He knows beating the minor premiership winning Emus at Endeavour Oval will be tough, but he has faith in his team-mates.
“I think they have definitely got the target on their backs,” he said of Emus. “In my time at the club they’ve always been the benchmark.
“But the feeling at the club is really good at the moment, everyone is enjoying it and everyone is buying into it – we’ve got that squad mentality rather than that individual mindset.
“I believe we’ve got the confidence in what we’ve been doing – it’s by no means arrogance – but we’ve got the confidence in our ability.”
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