After losing seven of their first 10 matches to start the season, Gordon won nine of their next 11 starts to book a spot in the grand final against Sydney Uni.

While the 2020 premiers couldn’t match it with the Students on a wet afternoon, the Stags run towards the playoffs indicates the club knows exactly what they’re doing at the backend of the season.

Overview with Billy Melrose:

“The Shute Shield has changed quite a bit over the years. With the proliferation of the different professional leagues around the world, you get quite a turnover of players these days,” Melrose told Rugby News. 

“The better you perform as a team, the more players you typically lose to higher levels or pro opportunities.

“It’s what you want at the end of the day because we want our players moving on to the next level. What is frustrating is that it often doesn’t help Australian rugby because they are heading overseas. Particularly the US comp recently. They’re not always moving to a greater level, just greater finances.

“The Shute Shield has changed a fair deal and now it’s about a clubs or a coaches ability to rebuild and bring through the next crop of young players to fill the void left by those departing players. That part of it is challenging but also enjoyable at the same time.  

“I was talking to an old Wallaby the other day and he was saying how just 20 years ago, even if you were a Wallaby, you still couldn’t wait to get back and play games with your club side when available. 

“It was a very different era and environment then. Each year you had continuity and could build cohesion and develop toward a goal. You might lose and gain a player or two, but you would never think you’d lose half your side.

“It’s still not fun getting reminded about last year’s grand final. I feel a mixture of feelings about 2022. We didn’t have the best start to the season and there were a few reasons for that. The second half of the season, it was the opposite. 

“It’s always exciting climbing the ladder. It’s challenging but a lot of those wins we had in the back half of last year were quite memorable. 

“It was a special year, the camaraderie was something to be part of as we progressed towards the Grand final.But it was a gutting end, when you get so close. 

“In the grand final, Uni were a bit better on the day and we were possibly a little beaten up. The conditions were not what we wished for and they played them a little better. We kept counter punching but just fell short.

“Hopefully it’s a spur to the boys to try and go one better this year. That’s always the challenge – Are you satisfied or are you fighting to get the scraps on the floor?”

2022: Grand finalists – Lost to Sydney Uni 26-19 

Ins: Kainoa Gudguon (Perth), Ben Fitzgerald (England), Luatangi Li (New Zealand).

Outs: Mokani Fuavao (retired), Nick Fraser (retired),Rhys Brodie NZ, Brendan Mitchell, Jordy Goddard (rehab, TBC), Reece MacDonald (MLR), Jacob Abel (Japan), Alex Pohla (Hunter), Rhys Brodie  

What style of rugby will we see from Gordon this year?

“From my perspective, every season things change and you have to move with it. Part of my philosophy is that you always need to be evolving how you play but that doesn’t mean you have to make dramatic change,” Melrose said. 

“We’ve been on a constant path of evolution since 2020 because our playing group has changed so much over the past few years. Very different abilities and styles of players. 

“When you’ve done okay in recent seasons, the opposition teams probably scrutinise you a little more than they do other sides, so we don’t need to change everything but we do need to adapt.”

Player(s) to watch: 

 “Last year Milan Bisson played probably seven or eight games in first grade. He’s a Gordon junior but has been battling Jordy Goddard for the No.8 jersey. 

“When Jordy had some injuries, Milan played his way into our backrow and did a really good job. I think he’ll continue to improve from those experiences. 

“We also need our young props to stand up and fill the void left by guys like Rhys Brodie. Guys like Ollie Hannan, who came out of colts a year ago. We need them to take the next step this year. 

“I think if John Akau’ola-laula can get some consistent training and matches he will become a really strong player within the comp.”

Which two team will play in this year’s grand final and why? 

“I’m not that good a tipster,” Melrose said. 

“Uni might lose 60 players but they will gain 70. Don’t stress, they will be around it. Easts seem to be recruiting well and have a great list. Randwick are also looking pretty strong

Then you’ve got Eastwood, Norths, Manly. The Two Blues and Hunter continue to recruit and build.

“In all honesty, there are probably five or six teams that have genuine claims to win the competition and I’m not just saying that. 

“We just need to get ourselves back in the race first and then see if we can be one of them.”