Billy Melrose started 2023 by walking out at Gordon following a dispute with the new club president. He was back as head coach a week later, then stood down again at the end of the season. 

It was a rollercoaster season for the Stags, but in between all of that, Gordon played some really good rugby and came close to upsetting Randwick in the opening week of the finals. 

Overview with Billy Melrose: 

“It was a frustrating season and a fairly strange season to be honest. It was well documented that the start of our season was incredibly unique and because of that, we essentially played a 17 round season,” Melrose told Rugby News. 

“Due to the circumstances, we were incredibly under prepared for round one and that was a bit of a hiccup. 

“We fought our way back into the competition by the mid way point, then our major injury toll started to take an effect and ultimately while we started to get momentum towards the end of the season, we left our run too late. 

“It was a year where we never really got within three players of having our best team on the park and that had an impact. 

“But to be honest, in about round 16 after we beat Newcastle (Hunter), I remember thinking that if we got Mahe Vailanu back and a couple others, then I thought we’d be pretty hard to beat.

“A lot of coaches were frustrated that WA decided to take their players back to Perth right at the pointy end of the Shute Shield season. It was just outrageous and I know a lot of different clubs were impacted, but to have players in major positions disappearing on a Monday before a finals match, it’s just ridiculous. 

“I’ve been in the game for a while but I’ve never seen anything like the lack of communication from the franchises to the clubs this year. They talk about how the Shute Shield is the lifeblood of Australian rugby, but they don’t treat it with any respect. 

“This isn’t an excuse for how our season ended up, but it’s a blight on our game. 

“To be successful, you need everything to go right and it didn’t for us this year. The two teams that deserved to be in the grand final were also the two teams who kept their best side on the park for most of the season. It’s not a coincidence. 

“As a whole, I’ve loved my time at Gordon. I have a lot of good memories at the club and got to know a lot of good people and we managed to get our hands on every trophy that we could over the past few years.”

What needs to happen at Gordon between now and round one next year? 

“That’s a good question. I think it was time for a new voice at the club and that’s the main reason why I stood down. I’ve always thought after a few years as head coach, the best of you has been given and that it’s usually best to move on and give someone else an opportunity. 

“A little bit of a refresh can be a really powerful think. I don’t think the boys were getting bored by any means, but I think a new voice will give the club new energy. 

“I don’t think a lot needs to change to be honest. I really thought we were good enough to win the competition this year if we could get two weeks with our best side on the park. 

“You always need a bit of luck though. When we won in 2020, we didn’t have one injured player. That’s just luck and unfortunately, we didn’t get that at Gordon this year.”

Is there a player at your club ready to take the next step in their career? 

“We’ve had a couple guys go on to the next level already this year. I thought Thomas Maka had another great season. He didn’t have his best game in the finals but he’s been picked up by Moana Pasifika. 

“Ola Tauelangi has also been given an opportunity over there and it will be great to see what he can do in a professional environment. 

“The other guy is John Akauola. If he can stay injury free and get a good, consistent season of footy under his belt, he could be anything.”

What can we expect in 2024?

“Winning the Shute Shield is like a lucky dip these days. All you can do is hope you’ve got the winning ticket. 

“With the franchises taking players away from clubs at finals time without even letting them know, it was out of control this year and I hope that changes in the future.”