When he was initially posed the question in "year seven or eight", Justin Mobbs' response to being asked if he'd be willing to shift from the outside backs to the second-row was swift, succinct and gave zero indication he'd ever make the move.
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"I looked at the coach like he had two heads, I didn't think I was cut-out for the forwards," Mobbs laughed.
Fast-forward a number of years and his attitude hadn't changed, as recently as 2017 he was still captain-coaching Bathurst Bulldogs' second XV from fullback and led the side to that season's grand final.
Shifting into the pack wasn't so much suggested again the next year as it was demanded by Bulldogs' head coach Dean Oxley, the move a well-publicised one that many on the outside predicted wouldn't pay off.
Mobbs himself still had reservations and while he's firmly of the opinion he remains "a long way off where I need to be", over the past 18 months his shift has been an undeniable success.
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In 2018 he was strong throughout the beaten grand finalists' campaign, in the opening six weeks of this year's Blowes Clothing he's arguably been the form player of the competition and, after Sunday's squad announcement, he's been rewarded with Central West selection as a result.
His Blowes Clothing Cup form and his efforts in Central West's training sessions and on the Blue Bulls' tour of New Zealand was simply impossible to ignore, he'll start in the row alongside Cowra's Chris Miller at this year's NSW Country Rugby Union Championship as a result.
I've had the benefit of being able to work with some really good players and coaches.
- Justin Mobbs, on his transformation into a second-rower
"I hadn't really thought about [the positional shift] until Dean brought it up before the 2018 season, even back in 2017, I would've been way too unfit to move into the forwards, too many beers I reckon," the unassuming Mobbs said, giving a number of his coaches, teammates and rivals plenty of credit.
"There has been a lot of hard work go into [the transformation]. Not just from me, I've had the benefit of being able to work with some really good players and coaches, Matty Waterford for example.
"Even just being able to go along to the Central West stuff and look at guys like Shaun McHugh, Chris Miller and Dave Jessiman, and learn from them, that's been really helpful too.
"The only goal I really have is to keep on improving. The main focus is still back at club level with Bulldogs and making sure I'm contributing there. Don't get me wrong it's great to get the nod for Central West, but I'll just along for the ride there and see what happens, see where it takes me and the side."
Mobbs' skillset as a back is far from traditional in terms of second-row play, but him being able to shift a little wider and act as a ball-playing link man in the pack has worked a treat for Bulldogs.
There's little doubt he'll need to play a little tighter at the next level however with the likes of Miller, Parkes' Dan Ryan, Dubbo's Mark Baldwin, Forbes' Charlie French and Narromine's John Ellis also named in the pack, his play-making may well create a new, exciting dynamic in the Blue Bulls' attacking phase play too.
Although, he's not been given any defined role for his side's Caldwell Cup campaign yet.
"That (style of play) isn't necessarily by design, more so me just working my way into that position, which I do cop a bit of flack for at times," Mobbs laughed.
"I think having that background in the backs certainly helps there and lends itself to playing a bit wider and acting more as a ball-player, and we do have some really tough guys in the pack who constantly do all the tough stuff, which does allow me to play that way at times.
"We have our structures in place for Central West and Dean's obviously a big believer in the 15 blokes across the paddock doing their job and fitting into that, so I just need to focus on doing that."
Mobbs said he's confident Central West has a squad capable of avenging last year's Caldwell Cup decider loss to Illawarra, and he said he's equally as confident his Bulldogs side has the ability to end their nine-year Blowes Clothing Cup drought.
They've proven that to an extent in the opening six weeks, which included a win over reigning premiers Orange Emus, but he also explained the Bathurst side won't be resting on its laurels now.
"It's certainly nice to be in the position we are at the moment but, as we all know and say, premireship aren't won in May and I don't think any side's really playing at a premiership-winning level at the moment, I'd say every side will be wanting to improve as the season goes on," Mobbs said.
Mobbs and his Bulldogs travel to Pride Park to take on Orange City this weekend, while the NSW Country Rugby Union Championship will be hosted by Tamworth on the June long weekend.
Oxley named a 23-strong squad on Sunday afternoon but will take 25 to Tamworth, he's waiting on injury updates to confirm the two remaining squad members.
- CENTRAL WEST BLUE BULLS: 1 Charlie French (Forbes Platypi), 2 Peter Fitzsimmons (Bathurst Bulldogs), 3 John Ellis (Narromine Gorillas), 4 Chris Miller (Cowra Eagles),5 Justin Mobbs (Bathurst Bulldogs), 6 Dan Ryan (Parkes Boars), 7 Mark Baldwin (Dubbo Kangaroos - captain), 8 Aaron Seaman (Harden Red Devils), 9 Shahid Khalfan (Harden Red Devils), 10 Jack O'Connor (Harden Red Devils), 11 Joe Nash (Bathurst Bulldogs),12 Lachie Harris (Orange Emus), 13 Zac White (Molong Magpies), 14 Tim Beach (Dubbo Kangaroos), 15 Ben Lenehan (Harden Red Devils); Bench: 16 George Quigley (Warren Pumas) 17 Alex Weal (Bathurst Bulldogs), 18 Tom Dunstan (Mudgee Wombats), 19 Shaun McHugh (Dubbo Kangaroos), 20 Josh Peffer (Molong Magpies), 21 Will Oldham (Bathurst Bulldogs), 22 Filisione Pauta (Guerie Goats), 23 Brenton Gibson (Bathurst Bulldogs), 24 TBC, 25 TBC
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
