After falling agonisingly short of a second straight Shute Shield title, veteran Gordon backrower Jack Margin believes a younger but more cohesive group can go one better in 2023. 

“We’ve got a lot of guys that have been here for two, three plus years now so the continuity over summer has been really good. We haven’t had to start with the basics or build knowledge and we’ve been able to move through things fairly quickly,” Margin told Rugby News. 

“Even with the colts coming into grade, they’ve been around the place for a few years now and they know what they need to do and how we like to play.”

Margin said he still didn’t like to think too much about the cold, wet afternoon at Leichhardt Oval last September. 

“It was a pretty depressing day to be honest. 

“I got taken off with 20 minutes to go and the camera was right in my face after Uni scored that final try for what seemed like forever. It wasn’t a fun experience. 

“I think it’s given up plenty of motivation though. Halfway through last year, no one gave us a chance and to be honest even some of the guys in the team probably didn’t think we had a chance either. 

“So to get as close as we did and then to lose from a try right at the end, it was heartbreaking but we’ve taken that and used it as motivation through the preseason. 

“You can see it in the way that we’re training, there’s that little bit extra hunger because we were so close.”

After losing seven of their first 10 matches in 2022, Gordon won nine of their last 11 to book a spot in the decider against eventual premiers Sydney Uni. 

Margin said defence was the key to his side’s turnaround but said there was still work to be done on that side of the ball. 

“Our defence during the season was pretty lacklustre but come the finals, we barely had the ball in any of those games and our defence was really strong. 

“We’re working a lot on our defensive structure and our attitude in defence to make sure we can do  that all season. The attack will take care of itself, defence is the key I think. 

“In the forwards, we’re also working hard on our basic skills so we can play with the ball a bit more and have a bit more variety in attack.”

At 26, Margin is now one of the senior players at Chatswood Oval but he said there is plenty of exciting young talent pushing through. 

“Benny Pollack is coming into his second or third year of colts this year and he’s worked really hard on his body over summer,” Margin said. 

“There’s also a few really good colties pushing into grade. Mitch Wills is probably the pick of them, he’s a really solid breakaway and has been looking pretty good but there is plenty of other talent coming through as well.”

The younger squad has even forced coach Billy Melrose to crack a smile or two over summer. 

“I think they’re keeping Billy young more than anything. He’s been quite chipper this year and has been cracking a lot of jokes. I think the young boys have taken a few years off him and it looks like he’s enjoying it. 

“He’s got some really good assistants as well. Mick Adams has been awesome since joining the club. He’s been really good with the young guys and has worked a lot on their basic skills. 

“Tai Glassie has also been great. A few new voices have had a really positive impact.”

Gordon travel to play Southern Districts in the opening round of the season on April 1 ahead of clashes against Western Sydney, Warringah and Eastwood in a tricky opening month. 

“I think Hunter and the Two Blues are going to be stronger again. 

“They got so close to the finals last year and I think they’ll know they can do it now. 

“They beat both teams that were in the grand final last year, which says something and I wouldn’t be surprised if they kick a few teams out of the finals this year. 

“Outside of them, Uni are always going to be strong. 

“I think Steven Hoiles will bring a new edge to Randwick and they’ll improve. Then you’ve got Norths and Eastwood who are always up there. 

“It’s a lot of teams to fit into six finals spots.”