2025 Eastwood coach David Telfer returned to Gordon – his junior club – over summer and has been busy on the recruitment front.

The Stags fell just short of finals footy last season and will be keen to push deeper into the playoffs with Telfer in charge.

Overview with David Telfer:

“It’s been an interesting few months, that’s for sure but to be honest, all of my attention has been going towards Gordon,” Telfer told Rugby News. 

“Personally I’ve reflected on the past and what has occurred, but to be fair to this playing group the vast majority of my time has been spent looking forward and focusing on Gordon.

“Gordon has always had a special place in my heart. It was my junior club, I played for Chatswood juniors and coached Gordon colts for six years.

“Last week when we announced our first grade side we had a Friends of Gordon first grade dinner and it just reminded me of the history at the club. From my end, it’s just important to write our new chapter at the club.

“When you read all the Rugby News interviews, everyone is talking about sustained success and we’re no different. 

“From our end we want the players to understand the history in the Gordon jersey and also understand what we’re trying to work towards.

“From a coaching perspective, the key is making sure we show our colts players coming through that there is a path for them here and in round one we’ll have one of our colts players making his starting first grade debut, which is great for the individual and the club.”

2025: 7th

Ins: Justin Landman (Western Force), JL Bacon (Eastwood), Ronan Kelly (Eastwood), Miles Ball (Eastwood), Cole Spinks (Eastwood), Harry Snook (Eastwood), Daniel Stovold (Eastwood), Mitch Holmes (Eastwood), Jayden Henderson (Eastwood), Lachie Albert (Eastwood), Toby Stewart (Eastwood), Harry Turner (Eastwood), Charlie Foster (colts), Aaron Neville-Smith (colts), Sam Bourgeois (colts), Angus Paterson (colts), Will McKinnon (colts), Tunui Jorgensen (colts), Seth Koneferenisi (NZ), Connor Neary (Ireland), Koloamatangi Aisake (NZ).

Outs: Will Kaye (Manly), Tevita Ahokovi (Sydney Uni), Sosaia Moala (Sydney Uni), Archie Hosking (UK), Jake Tierney (Canada), Tristan Fuli (Melbourne), Otumaka Mausia (UK), James Armstrong, Alex Ashton (UK), Josh Bragman (retired), Manus Bailey (Netherlands), Connor Hill (retired)

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

“I’ve always been an attacking coach, but to be brutally clear I know defence will win premierships in the Shute Shield,” Telfer said. 

“From an attack perspective, we’ve themed everything around taking a swing, almost like golf.

“It’s about encouraging our players to take a swing if they see it but ultimately it comes back to understanding what’s best for the team.”

Player(s) to watch: 

“I’d say Samson Koneferenisi, who came over from New Zealand last year. He’s only 24 this year, a young tighthead prop, and if he gets the chance this year he could make a living out of rugby. I’m confident of that.

“Lachie Albert is returning to his junior club and is still trying to knock the door down to get back into Super Rugby, which I think he is more than capable of.

“And obviously Ben Pollack, who again is a Gordon junior. He played a year in the MLR and has been appointed our vice-captain. Those are the guys you want to celebrate.”

Who will Gordon play in the grand final?

“Easts. I think that would be quite a juicy contest between two clubs that have had a bit of a rivalry over previous years,” Telfer said with a chuckle. 

“Maybe we play the grand final at Chatswood Oval, because that seems to be everyone’s favourite ground.”