By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon coach Brian Melrose likes to go quietly on a Friday night during the footy season so a semi-regular catch up with his brothers at The Steyne Hotel in the heart of Manly has been parked for now.

‘Billy’ has lived in Manly for six years and has coached the Marlins with notable success on two separate occassions, but as northern beaches folklore says you’re not considered truly a local unless you are pushed up The Corso in a pram.

The Highlanders will begin their defence of the Shute Shield title at Manly Oval on Saturday in a game that is not be missed.

“Yeah we are ready go,” Melrose said. “I’ve had some good times at Manly Oval and really loved my time at the club.

“There are a lot of good people there and we did go pretty close (to winning the Shute Shield) a couple of times.

“I like to be pretty quiet on a Friday night when the rugby is on, but I am sure that my brothers (‘Tiny’, Tony and Mick ) will go down (to The Steyne). There’s always some solid opinion thrown about on a Friday night.”

Gordon have had solid pre-season under Melrose and they seem to be coping well as they adapt to a number of the major players from last year’s title winners.

The big emphasis has been on bedding down a new halves combination with Harrison Goddard and Rodney Iona both in the United States playing in the MLR.

But Jacob Abel and Reece MacDonald have embraced the challenge and look to be doing a pretty good job of giving the Highlanders some sustained success.

They are certainly different from Goddard and Iona but bring some different skills to the table.

Melrose added: “Round One is always a challenge as it’s hard to know what the opposition might bring or some of the players you’re up against.

“But it’s the same for everyone out there, you’ve got to gather the forces and go again. We’re all looking forward to it.”

Manly coach Matt McGoldrick, like Melrose, is looking forward to get the season underway and getting that line in the sand to work towards.

“They’re the defending champs, they have a great pack and smart halves – it’s going to be tough,” McGoldrick said.

“You would have to put them in the premiership favourites bracket at this stage. Defending champs. Great packs, smart halves. Probably in the premiership favorites bracket at this stage.

“They’ll be hard to beat and everyone at the club is looking forward to the game.”

At Drummoyne Oval West Harbour will host Randwick and the emphasis for the visitors will be all about getting their defensive structures right.

“Round One, who knows what’s going to happen mate,” Randwick coach Ben McCormack said.

“Wests always have some really talented individuals in their group and I doubt this year will be any different so we will have to ensure our defence is on point.

“But realistically in Round one we just want to concentrate on ourselves and how we prepare and then execute on the day.

“Game One is never clean so the teams who don’t dwell on errors and adapt quicker will do well.”

Wests coach Mark Gudmunson said matching the Wicks at set piece time was the emphasis of their Saturday afternoon.

“Our defence needs to be spot on against Randwick, we know they are a team that likes to use the ball and spread it through the hands, so we need to really work hard with each other to stay connected,” he said.

“Randwick have got available multiple Super Rugby squad members to strengthen their team even more, so we have a challenge, but we are ready and can’t wait to get on the field and go head to head.”

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY