After an interrupted start to the season, Cuthbert has just started to hit his straps in recent weeks in his first year at Maher Oval.

Cuthbert has been named in the Bulldogs' best two players for the last three games and is thriving on his first crack at the Riverina League.

"I've really enjoyed it," Cuthbert said.

"It's a lot better footy that's for sure. It's been a lot more enjoyable. There seems to be a lot more younger players too, which makes a bit of a difference."

Cuthbert, 20, won a premiership with East Wagga-Kooringal in 2017 and was a starting midfielder in Farrer League's representative team last year.

He has found the jump from Farrer to Riverina noticeable.

"It's definitely a step up," he said.

"I've noticed say playing Narrandera, who don't get rated as highly as other teams but it's still good footy. It doesn't really drop off in standard, whereas in the Farrer League when you play one of the worst teams the standard definitely drops."

Cuthbert has provided a hard edge to Turvey Park's midfield, complimenting the likes of Jeremy Sykes and Josh Ashcroft nicely.

He has found it better as the season has gone on.

"It's good to finally start stringing some games together, that's for sure," Cuthbert said.

"Hopefully I can keep things going in the second half of the year. Fitness is the biggest thing, I wasn't fit at the start of the year. That's probably one of the biggest differences in the footy too, I had to get a lot fitter."

Turvey Park return home to Maher Oval on Saturday to host Coolamon.

The last time the two teams met, Coolamon led by 49 points at half-time but Turvey Park stormed back into the contest to get within seven points. Ultimately, the Hoppers steadied to win by 15.

The Bulldogs will be without Daniel Leary for the next couple of weeks due to a medial strain, joining his younger brother Lachie (syndesmosis) on the sidelines. Promising young midfielder Alex Carroll is unavailable.

Cuthbert believes the Bulldogs can take it up to the third-placed Hoppers.

"It's going to be really challenging but I watched last game and if we can play our standard of footy that we like to play, it should be a good game," he said.

"We've got to get off to a good start and then go on with it."

Turvey Park sit in seventh spot but remain only a game, plus percentage, outside the top five.

Cuthbert believes a win would do wonders for both their finals chances and their confidence.

"I'm hoping a win this weekend might give our younger guys some confidence," he said.

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