by Paul Cook - It’s been a few years since Geoff Townsend graced the coaching ranks of the Shute Shield but the former Southern Districts and Manly head honcho returns in 2014 in charge of Gordon, tasked with returning the Highlanders to the upper echelons of the ladder that they have routinely occupied in the history of this great competition. Having recharged the batteries for the last few seasons since his time with the Western Force, Townsend is champing at the bit to re-acquaint himself with the day-to-day running of a rugby club and he’s not in it for the short term. Having signed an initial three year contract, he is already mapping out an exciting future at Chatswood Oval as he attempts to turnaround a side that has fallen by the wayside in recent times. Blessed with a fair sprinkling of young – if inexperienced – talent, Townsend’s challenge is to harness that pot