For the second straight season, Gordon travelled to Coogee Oval on the first weekend of the finals series to play an in-form Randwick side. 

The Stags had won seven of nine matches heading into that clash, but fell just short again after conceding two somewhat controversial penalty tries. 

Overview with Harry Fehily: 

“It was a bit of a rebuild for us this year. We had a lot of experienced players finish up at the end of 2023. Guys like Jordy Goddard, James Lough, Harrison Goddard, Rodney Iona, Rory O’Connor. The list goes on,” Fehily told Rugby News. 

“I’m pretty happy with where we got to as a club. All grades finished in the top four and we finished second in the club championships. 

“Colts had a really solid year as well and we played in a first grade colts grand final. 

“We built a good foundation which was important because there had been a lot of change around the place. We had a new general manager, new coaching staff, new operations manager, new physio clinic, a new gym. 

“There was a lot of change that happened last year for the good so I think we’re in a really solid position to launch from for next year. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get there this season. 

“In first grade, we were probably missing one or two pieces and we were unlucky with injuries. 

“We played close to an entire season without an out and out No.10.

“Benny Pollack did really well and we were lucky to pick up Pat (Pellegrini) towards the end of the season, but it’s hard to bounce back when your first choice No.10 gets injured in his first training session and misses the full year. 

“There’s plenty of talent pushing through. At our presentation night, I think the general consensus was that things went okay this year but we all want more. 

“We’ve had a bit of a recalibration at the club which is a great thing. The base standard for us now is to finish in the top four in every grade so that we can compete for titles. 

“Then if you get a few things right and luck goes your way, you might go close to winning one. 

“There’s a good funnel of players coming through from colts who certainly look to be at least at second grade standard and hopefully one or two push on to first grade.”

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

“We’re looking to make a few tweaks to our coaching staff and add a few people in new positions,” Fehily explained. 

“We’ve also got to get some administrational stuff right. Last year, we didn’t play a trial because we mucked up things in the back office and that hurt us at the start of the year. 

“We need to be set up for institutional success moving forward and we need certain things in place in the background to allow for that. 

“In first grade, we need to add one or two players. We’ll need to find a No.10, then potentially we’ll look to add some depth in one or two other positions.”

Which of your players do you expect to push on next year? 

“I think Ollie Arcus has the potential to push on if he keeps developing at the same rate,” the coach said.

“We’ve got a few other players that could, but it’s probably a question of if they want to. 

“Tristan (Fuli) has potentially missed his opportunity as he’s a bit older now. John Akauola is probably in a similar position but is certainly good enough if someone is willing to take a punt on him. 

“If I was coaching a professional club, I’d certainly give Milan (Basson) an opportunity but probably as a No.7 rather than a No.8.”

What can we expect in 2025? 

“I don’t think you’ll see too much different from us next season. We’ll try to evolve and I think we’ll start from a much better position than we did at the end of 2023,” Fehily said. 

“We had to deal with a lot of teething issues this season so hopefully we can move past that. 

“The first 50 minutes of our semi final against Randwick is the type of rugby we’d like to play moving forward and hopefully next year we can play that way for a little longer. 

“I want us to be a difficult team to play against, particularly at home, and I think we were at times this season. 

“If we can do that, then I think we’re every chance to be fighting it out for the title again.”