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.

“There are about half the guys left from that match day 23, but having said that, it means that there are opportunities for the guys that for a variety of reasons didn’t play a major role in that grand final and they now have the opportunity to stand up and show their quality.

“Rebuilding teams isn’t anything new to me and we have been strong through our senior grades, while the colts are throwing up some good players these past couple of years.

“But if you look at our roster there is obvious opportunity in the front three and also in the backs where the turnover has been substantial.

“So it’s not about what was, it’s about what’s coming and what we can make of this opportunity

“With 19 rounds and a finals series this season is going to be a little different to last year.

“We may not be on song for the entire competition, but I assure you we will be in the fight and if we do that, we might just do some damage. September is too far away to focus on but it’s obviously in the long term plan.”

The “next wave” that Melrose is referring to starts with grand final fullback Reece MacDonald who will get first crack at the No.10 jersey in 2021.

Then there’s Jake Abel the No.9 who had to bide his time behind Harrison Goddard and also the centre and fullback Lucas Price who came off the bench in the grand final.

Throw in backrower Tom Silk and the returning Ola Tauelangi and there is a pretty good base to build a side that is competitive.

“Most of those guys either got injured at the wrong time of the season or were behind a more experienced player,” Melrose added.

“This is their opportunity to make their mark and lead the way through the next part of the club’s evolution.

“We may not start as favourites for the comp but it’s a new challenge and the boys are back and ripping into getting ready for it “

“Are we hungry enough to go back to back and are we prepared to put the work in to win another competition?

“I always think at this stage of the year we are running equal last, but at some stage towards the finish we need to be in threatening and playing well.

“It’s certainly not something that is beyond this group. I have a lot of belief in the boys.”

Circumstance and the achievements of 2020 have meant much of the coaching and off field staff have moved on but importantly forwards coach Liam Winton is still ticking boxes.

“In many ways it is good to have a fresh deck to deal with,” Melrose said.

“We’re not tipping DC’s (Darren Coleman) program on it’s head , we were both part of it and there was lots to like about it. It’s going to be a little bit different, natural evolution, but a good different.”

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN