Gordon were the big improvers of the 2019 Shute Shield season but fell agonisingly short of a finals berth after finishing with the wooden spoon just 12 months earlier.

The Stags have lost a handful of big names from last year’s campaign but have a host of players ready to fill the void after impressing in grade and colts at the club last season.

Rugby News spoke to head coach DARREN COLEMAN as he readies himself for the season ahead.

WHAT LIES AHEAD: 

“I’m pretty happy with how we’re looking ahead of round one. The boys did a great job staying in shape during the break and that allowed us to focus more on our field work rather than conditioning in recent weeks,” Coleman said.

“It’s going to be another tight season. I certainly learnt from my mistakes last year when we weren’t aggressive enough chasing four-try bonus points. In the end, that’s what cost us our spot in the finals and I have to take the blame for that. 

“I’m really looking forward to coaching against my brother (Newcastle head coach Scott ‘Bubba’ Coleman) for the first time. I don’t want to say that it’s the most important game of the year for me, but I can’t think of what will happen if they end up beating us.” 

2019: Nine wins, one draw and seven losses to finish seventh.

“It was a really enjoyable season and it was great to be a part of getting a proud club like Gordon back on track after a few lean years, particularly from a grade perspective. We also won a third grade premiership and finished second in the club championships so it was a big step forward. 

“In saying that though, I still feel like we missed an opportunity in first grade. We were on track to grab sixth spot and a finals berth before bloody Jack Grant and Easts scored well in to injury time to end our season. That really hurt because I felt like things were coming together nicely and we still had our best footy ahead of us. 

“To go so close and then miss out, it’s certainly put some fire in the belly of the players and hopefully we’ll see that this year.”

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Ins: Ellis Abrahams (UK), Rhys Brodie (West Harbour), Harrison Goddard (Rebels), Rodney Iona (Melbourne), Reece McDonald (NZ), Manassa Rokosuka (Eastwood), John Bosco Tagaloa (Canberra), Peter Tagaloa (NZ)

Outs: Jake Abel (Force), Robbie Coleman (MLR), Mike Malloy (injured), Mack Koteczky (UK), Sean Kearns (Ireland), Niko Malo (retired). 

KEY AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: 

“As I mentioned earlier, we took too many penalty goals last year and weren’t aggressive enough chasing four-try bonus points. 

“Aside from that, I also think we need to be more clinical when we enter our (attacking) A-Zone. 

“That really cost us in a number of tight games last year. In such a tight competition, you can’t afford to not score points when you get deep in a side’s half.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

“Tom Silk is a young backrower who was a star for our colts side two years ago and played a few games in first grade last year. He’s come right through the traditional Gordon pathway and it’ll be exciting to see what he can do this year.

“He’s a bit of a hybrid backrower to be honest, the kind of player you don’t see often that could easily play in the 6,7 or 8 jersey. He’s a good strong ball carrier but also great over the ball. He’s a talent.”

HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SEASON: 

“We want to win the competition, it’s pretty simple. I think we’ve got the team to do it and after what we were able to accomplish last year, I don’t think there’s any reason why that’s not an achievable goal this season. 

“Our colts have been very strong for a number of years now, we won a third grade comp last year, so now it’s time for first grade to follow the lead of the other teams at the club and I’m confident that we can.”

WHO WILL YOU PLAY IN THE GRAND FINAL? 

“Easts will improve again this year and will continue to get closer. Randwick have also benefited from the cancellation of the Aussie 7s season and have picked up a lot of talent from there. 

Then obviously Sydney Uni and Warringah will be very strong, particularly at the back end of the season when they have their full sides on the park. Eastwood will also be tough. 

“If I had to pick the big improvers, I think Randwick and West Harbour will both more right up the ladder this year.”