ORANGE Emus’ tilt at the 2015 Blowes Clothing Cup has been given a massive boost following the clearance of barnstorming No.8 Rob Thorburn.

Thorburn suffered what was feared to be a season-ending fractured skull in Emus’ round 10 win over the Bulldogs in Bathurst, and hasn’t played since, but was this week given the thumbs up from medical staff to make a miraculous return in time for the greens’ finals campaign.

Thorburn is expected back on the field for either next week’s major or minor semi-final, depending on Emus’ result in the qualifying semi-final against Bathurst Bulldogs on Saturday at Endeavour Oval.

Emus co-coach Graydon Staniforth said the news is music to both his and fellow mentor Paul Ringland’s ears, with Thorburn easily one of the most destructive ball runners in the competition.

“And having lost a couple of other guys, like Alo (Finau), having Rob back will be great,” Staniforth said.

“(Hooker) Tom Goolagong is back this week and Rob will probably be back next week for us.”

First, though, Emus face the Bulldogs in a qualifying semi-final showdown on Saturday.

VIDEO: Michelle Cook and Matt Findlay preview the weekend's games:

The greens have had the wood on the Bulldogs of late, earning two regular season wins over tomorrow’s opponent while also tasting victory the last time the two sides faced off in a finals clash, with last year’s 28-19 minor semi-final win marred somewhat by a 23-5 penalty count in Emus’ favour.

And, despite Bathurst copping a 61-7 thrashing the last time they travelled to Orange - that was against City - Staniforth was expecting a tough battle from the forward-heavy Dogs.

“They’re a tough club,” Staniforth said.

“And every time we’ve played them it’s been a tough game. That won’t change this weekend.

“I think they were in a similar position to us (against Orange City) in terms of them being locked into third place, and there were five cards or something like that in that game. 

“We’re not reading anything into that.

“The boys are disappointed in our own performance last week (losing 34-26 against the Lions), but I think it shows how much work we have to do to match Orange City too.”

Flanker Adam Cosgrove and fullback Isaac White have been ruled out of the clash, with ankle ligament damage and shoulder nerve damage respectively.

Kick-off for the 2015 qualifying semi-final is at 3.15pm.

ORANGE EMUS: 1 Nas Havealeta, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Steve Fergus, 4 Sam McLean, 5 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 6 Simon Badgery, 7 Scott Udy, 8 Scott McLean, 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Tom Green, 12 Josh Ellice-Flint, 13 Nigel Staniforth, 14 Carter Hirini, 15 James Simmons.