Blowes Clothing Cup: Bathurst Bulldogs key men will gain extra minutes in Forbes clash

There's virtually nothing between the two clubs, as May's 24-22 result at Ashwood Park attests to, so the likes of recent Central West Blue Bulls representative Justin Mobbs and starting flyhalf Brad Glasson enjoying extra game time will be a welcome sight for the Bulldogs.

How much game time the duo sees this weekend remains to be seen but their presence will lift a squad that boasts a mixed 4-4 win-loss record in 2021.

Mark Donnelly and Jock Suttor will also likely see some first grade minutes this weekend as the Bulldogs lineup gets that extra bit closer to full strength.

Mobbs was one of five Bathurst Bulldogs players who helped Central West defend their Caldwell Cup title over the long weekend.

He's come through the lower grades over limited minutes as part of his return from an ankle injury and believes he's still working his way towards top condition after the Country Championships.

"It went as well is it could have. I probably pushed it a bit to get back in time but having the game in seconds the week before Country Champs and half a game in first grade that day severed me well from a fitness point of view," he said.

"There's still some bone bruising but structurally it's holding up fine.

"Forbes are a quality team this year. I played alongside a few of those guys last weekend. I'm excited to be back out playing against them, and in first grade full-time too."

It's not just the last game between Bulldogs and Platypi that came right down to the dying minutes but even their previous clash at the end of the 2020 season.

Forbes got the better of Bulldogs on that occasion, 22-21, in one of the worst disciplined performances of recent times for the Bathurst club.

Platypi, sitting second on the ladder, should be considered the favourites for this Saturday's game as they look to keep pace with leaders Orange Emus.

Forbes were 21-17 winners over Orange City last round.

"Forbes are physical and they've got quite a few big bodies but also people like Mahe [Fangupo] and Miniti [Tonga] in the halves who are both tough and creative players," Mobbs said.

"There's never a lack of creativity, size or power. I'll be expecting a tough game across the park."

Harry Webber, Adam Plummer, Sione Maufahua and Bulldogs captain Peter Fitzsimmons are the other players from the club returning from Country Championships success this Saturday.

Mobbs is hopeful the experience at the Tamworth competition can help the Bulldogs' top players take their game to another level - and in turn, the rest of the team.

"We know we've got a quality team across the park and some quality players at the club but we just haven't been able to put it together," Mobbs said.

"I hope that the guys that went to Country Champs and had that success over the weekend will go back into club footy with a bit of extra confidence, and use that confidence to lead the team."

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