The live-wire play maker backed up for first grade after helping the Magpies juniors to a win over the battling Dubbo club earlier in the day and didn’t look out of place in the No.7 jumper, helping orchestrate the defending Group 11 premiers’ biggest win of the season.

“Not bad from the little bugger,” captain-coach Jake Grace laughed.

“It’s one of those games that’s hard to keep focused in and keep the ball rolling. Those (Westside) boys kept turning up, trying their best and got through the whole game, which was important for us … we want to be playing 80 minutes.

“To Westside’s credit they stuck in there and got a try on us.”

Forbes led 52-0 at the break before going on to claim what was an important two points for the club.

The 80-point victory keeps the Magpies in fourth on the ladder heading into a tough run leading into the semi-finals.

Forbes takes on Macquarie on Sunday at Dubbo before facing Nyngan, Parkes and Dubbo CYMS throughout the next month.

Throw in a round 12 clash with a resurgent Jets at Narromine and wins are at a premium for a Forbes side in the midst of a tough premiership defence.

Grace said having lost games to the Tigers, Spacemen and Fishies – the three sides above the black and whites on the ladder – during the first round, the Magpies were keen to send a message to the rest of the competition over the course of the second round.

“If we're going to be a team that’s winning grand finals we need to improve our form,” he said.

“To be honest, with my team, it’s more about us playing to our strengths … we’ve lost because of us, dropped too much ball and given away too many penalties.

“We fix up those things and we give ourselves a better chance at winning.”