Blowes Cup: Phil Tonkin has faith his Bathurst Bulldogs can win the 2021 premiership

Tonkin's milestone match came in the final round of the regular season against Orange City. It is a game they won 31-0 which means they carry momentum into this Sunday's minor semi-final against Forbes.

Beating the Platypi won't be easy, neither will beating Cowra Eagles and Orange Emus who qualified in first and second respectively, but it's something Tonkin feels can be done if Bulldogs can produce their best and maintain it.

"We play really good footy when we turn up and want to play. I think that's the problem, we just have lapses in concentration. But hopefully we've learned our lesson from that during the year and we can turn it on for the next few weeks and go all the way," he said.

"Everyone is talking about Cowra and Emus, so we'll definitely be underdogs. But we've already beat Emus this year and against Cowra we were pretty close, we were unlucky to lose to them at home, and we beat Forbes the other week.

"So if we show up and play for the full game, we can beat anyone really."

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Since Tonkin first joined Bulldogs as a member of their colts side in 2006, he's had plenty of success in finals.

His highlight came in 2010 when he scored two tries on grand final day to help Bulldogs to a 27-15 triumph against Narromine at Cale Oval.

This season Tonkin's enjoyment has come from being part of a first XV which includes a host of young talents - even if it does make him feel old.

"It's good to test yourself against all the young guys coming through, it does get a bit harder and you're a bit sorer every week, but it's still good," he said.

"It would be one of the youngest sides I've played with, there are guys coming through now that I helped coach in under 13s. I'm pretty sure Bailey [Warren] was in an under 13s side I coached.

"I was thinking the other day when I was in the sheds 'Gee I've sat here a long time'. It's a lot of trainings, a lot of games, a lot of time spent doing it. But the whole time it's been good fun."

Tonkin has been a valued member of the side for years, filling whatever position is required of him. But he says the number 15 jumper is his preferred option.

"In colts I used to come off the bench and play on the wing, so yeah, I have played every position in the backs. Fullback is probably my favourite," he said.

While Tonkin hopes to add three more games to his tally this year - the minor semi-final, preliminary final and grand final - how many more he plays beyond that remains to be seen.

Certainly his intent is to be a Bulldog for some time yet.

"We'll see how the body pulls up, we'll see when Scotty [Johnston] retires," he laughed.

"But I hope I've got a few more years left in me yet, I hope I can keep playing."

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