Take the zone's best player out of any side and it's impossible to replace them.

Forbes is in that situation this year after gun halfback Mahe Fangupo took a chance to play in the Shute Shield in 2020 with Newcastle.

The Platypi are still as physical as any side in the Blowes Clothing Cup, and with title-winning No.8 Matt Coles at the back of the scrum Forbes has some real punch through the middle this season.

But it all amounts to nothing without Fangupo's direction.

He's pulled all of the strings for Forbes for the better part of six or seven years, and now with him not there Forbes is battling, as well as finding it tough to play out the 80.

Against Emus and now Bulldogs, the Platypi have been in the game at the break only to fade badly and end up being thumped.

Stick with the Platypi pack and get them late in the game - it must be at the top of every coach's notepad this season.

While on teams missing players ... Emus continue to prove to be the benchmark side in the Central West, despite not having had the iceman in their backline.

The cool-headed Nigel Staniforth has been out for the last two weeks, but the Greens haven't missed a beat and took care of business in a grand final replay at Bathurst and then a derby at Endeavour.

The goal-kicking veteran is expected back for Emus this season, but given the way Pete Bromley's side continues to hum even without their gun centre there would be no rush for Staniforth.

It's going to take a huge effort to keep Emus out of their seventh straight Blowes Clothing Cup grand final in 2020 ... will we see that effort from the also-undefeated Roos this weekend?

The Bulldogs got that early-season monkey off their back with a big win at home against Forbes in round three.

After that really-well-loved 24-game winning streak at Ann Ashwood was ended in round two against Emus, it's great to see the Bathurst boys back up and running. One in a row.

Orange City has showed glimpses in its two opening games of the season, as has Forbes, but surely if either side has designs on playing finals footy this year then Saturday's clash at Grinsted Oval is a must-win.

The Lions and Platypi are 0-2 to open their respective campaigns and will be looking for some much-needed confidence this weekend.

The Platypi's backs have been bolstered by the inclusions of Forbes Magpies' premiership winners Ben Maquire and Ethan Gaffney.

Given City's strength this year is also its backs, points will be free-flowing at Forbes this weekend.