By MARK CASHMAN

In past years grand final rematches have landed in the first week of the Shute Shield, but there’s no reason not to savour this one even if it is nine weeks on.

Gordon v Eastwood, it’s three v five and it’s Back to Gordon day at Chatswood Oval – a classic match up between a couple of the competition’s heavyweights.

Putting the not unsubstantial matter of the Battle of the Beaches at Rat Park this could be tagged the match of the round for anyone south of The Spit bridge.

Coaches love to deflect the pressure whenever they can and on Friday afternoon Eastwood coach Ben Batger was at his very best.

“All the pressure is on Gordon, they are defending premiers , they are above us on ladder, they are at home and it’s back to Gordon day,” Batger told Rugby News.

“So we are going to have to be at our best and compete for the full 80 minutes and if we do that we will be in with a chance.”

Truth be told the Woods are more than a chance in this one but as Batger said they are going to have to compete from first whistle until the last blast.

Batger has fiddled with his side for this one making room for Ed Craig at hooker and reinstating Chris Bell in the No.10 jersey.

They are hopeful of having Enoka Muliufi available but won’t decide until game day about whether he is right to go after working his way through a rib issue in recent weeks.

They were ruthless at times against the Hunter Wildfires putting on 66 points and while that will not happen against Gordon the Woods seems to be finding their groove in attack.

Getting that front foot ball will fall essentially to Ratu Tuisese and Pat Sio and if that happens people like Matt Gonzalez will come into play.

At Gordon skipper Jordie Goddard is missing this week to sort out some niggles and he will be missed against a robust pack like the Woods.

Tom Horan comes into the starting side while Brandon Quinn gets his first start in first grade since last year.

They are also missing Kevin Fuavao in the centres who tweaked his hamstring last weekend against Warringah.

But the big thing about this Highlanders outfit is that they are finding a way and through that they are gaining an identity that will set them apart from the premiership winners of 2020.

It will be interesting to watch that “identity crisis” play out.

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY