Technically, Gordon head into the 2022 Shute Shield season as the defending premiers. But the side that will run out in round one against Hunter next weekend will look vastly different to the team that beat Eastwood in the 2020 grand final.

Billy Melrose has had his first, full preseason with Gordon and will be looking to take his team back to the final weekend of the season.

Overview with Billy Melrose: 

“It’s been a wild off season with the weather and covid interrupting things. Everyone is in the same boat though,” Melrose told Rugby News.

“We a trial and lost a trial, both in tight games, so it always makes you wonder if you are as prepared as you could be at this time of year. It's a bit more problematic with the weather to prepare perfectly but it will all get real soon.

“Some of the small changes we’ve made worked well in the trials. We played one dry and one wet trial against Eastwood and Southern Districts and it showed some upsides and a few areas that need more work . I don’t take too much notice of the results in trials but they do expose your better and lesser points.