A red hot Gordon side were the form team all season in 2020 and deservedly broke the club’s 22-year premiership drought after an impressive win over Eastwood in the decider.

Premiership coach Darren Coleman and a host of big names moved on after that match though, leaving veteran Shute Shield coach Billy Melrose to lead the Highlanders premiership defence in 2021.

Overview with Billy Melrose: 

“Last year was the longest offseason in history, it went for about eight or nine months and now this season, having finished late last year, it’s been quite compressed," Melrose told Rugby News.

“I think everyone has heard that on the back of doing well last year, a number of our players were fortunate to get opportunities elsewhere, which is great.