By MARK CASHMAN

After a breakout season last year that saw Gordon win their first Shute Shield title since 1998 backrower Tom Silk knew it was coming.

Silk was one of the Highlanders’ best throughout that wonderful run to the 2020 premiership under Darren Coleman, but it did put a fairly large target on the lanky open side breakaway’s chest.

“Every ruck there’s always an elbow in my face and stuff (like that) but that’s all right,” Silk told Rugby News in the wake of the Highlanders 47-27 win over Randwick at Coogee Oval on Saturday.