By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon’s new head coach Brian Melrose has challenged the club’s “next wave” of talent to stand up and make their presence felt as the Highlanders set about their title defence when the Shute Shield kicks off next month.

More than half of the match day 23 that beat Eastwood in the grand final at Leichhardt Oval have moved on to fresh opportunities - some here in Australia and others in Major League Rugby in the United States.

Last year’s boss Darren Coleman is knee deep in getting the LA Giltinis off to a winning start in the MLR and his lynchpins Harrison Goddard (scrum half) and Rodney Iona (flyhalf) are just a couple that will also ply their trade stateside and that means there is much to do at Chatswood Oval.

“I suppose that pretty much sums up the modern game, if you do well you move on to the next opportunity. I’m always hoping to develop players so they can take that next step,“ Melrose told Rugby News this week.