Gold Coast Titans cult hero Kevin Gordon makes stunning rugby league return for the Tamborine Mountain Bushrats
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It has been more than six years since Kevin Gordon last graced the NRL, as injuries and artistic pursuits drove him away from his lucrative career.
But now the Gold Coast Titans cult hero is back from the rugby league wilderness, joining the Tamborine Mountain Bushrats for their first season in more than a decade.
Since his NRL retirement in 2015 due to a series of chronic injuries and a desire to make an impact as a performer, Gordon has been a rare sight in football circles.
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At the time, he walked away from a $350,000 a year contract with the Titans, and turned his attention to his music personna ‘Deep Gordon’.
But still he craved the rush the game gave him.
Four years ago the now 32-year-old trialled with the Tugun Seahawks, only for the same hip and knee issues that ended his career to plague his hopeful comeback.
However, fresh off his first official game two months ago — a Test match for the Philippines against Chile — Gordon has celebrated his recent move to Tamborine by assuming the number one jumper in the Bushrats revival mission.
And he has not ruled out a long-term stint back from the rugby league wilderness.
“I’ve always come up to the mountain, my girlfriend lives up here so I ended up selling my property on the Gold Coast and moved up here,” Gordon said. “The Gold Coast was getting a bit full on for me, and I thought I’d take a step back after I achieved my goals and have a think about what I wanted to do.
“I released a couple of albums, a lot of music videos and ended up putting on a live show. It was sort of as much as I could put into it with what I had at the time and (it) ticked another dream off.
“I moved up here about seven weeks ago and heard about the Bushrats. They had a really good community feel, the energy was really good and everyone was really keen to play for the team and play for the mountain.
“I’m just happy to play again, have fun and see how far my body can go. Every week it’s going to be getting better and better, and if the body can get back to its glory days, who knows what could happen?
“It’s an open platter to do whatever I want.”
Gordon showed there were still signs of the old spark that led to 58 tries in 118 Titans appearances as Tamborine Mountain closed out a 16-12 triumph over Coomera in the Kennards Hire DMC competition. Even after such a lengthy hiatus from the game, it was clear the veteran flyer’s reputation still preceded him.
Yet as he copped the extra heat and attention, far away from the parochial stadium crowds he grew accustomed to, Gordon was home.
“I think the first time they tried to pass to me they (Coomera) intercepted it and scored, so we had to rearrange a few things,” Gordon said.
“A few boys shooting out of the line and hitting me, but I expect it’s going to happen so I just have to be ready for it. “The energy of the place is enormous, even though it’s not like a big stadium it’s that country feel.
“It’s such a good energy, everyone from the mountain is there pretty much. It’s hard to describe, it’s such a good energy.”
Bushrats president Alick Kilsby said a Facebook message from Gordon’s partner proved the catalyst behind the winger’s berth at the club, and he praised the influence the vibrant character could have on the region.
“He’s still sharp, you can tell he’s got a lot of experience playing at a high level, but it did look like he had a target on his back,” he said. “We’re third division, we don’t have the numbers for the A-grade. We’re starting at the bottom, so it’s even more remarkable that he wants to play.”
DOING IT FOR THE KIDS
All it took was a Facebook message to kickstart a rapid resurrection for the Tamborine Mountain Bushrats.
After more than a decade of inactivity, a parent in the region inquired through a community post about whether a team was available for a small group of under-18 players.
Kilsby said that was the moment a conversation began about how the mountain men could launch a return, one reminiscent of their era of dominance.
With a strong junior base also in place — teams in the under-6s, under-7s, under-9s, under-11s and under-18s registered — Kilsby said the focus for the 2022 season was to consolidate on the work achieved thus far.
He said when the club folded in 2012 it was due to the lacking numbers coming through the ranks, and the club were determined to ensure history did not repeat.
“We just did a hard push before Christmas for a sign on day and saw there were a lot of parents wanting to get their kids into rugby league. It hadn’t been an option for so long, and there weren’t a lot of sporting options,” Kilsby said.
“We knew if we had a successful men’s team we would have juniors again. Fortunately the majority of the players all played for the Bushrats in their juniors back in the day.
“The thing with our players is they live and work in the community, and most of the community know them. This has led to a huge outpouring of support. We’ve got about 30 different businesses involved in sponsorship and general support.
“The goal for this year is to consolidate, get as many kids playing as possible and for the boys that do play in the men’s side to represent the jersey and community well.”
SOUTHPORT END SEAGULLS RUN
A former South Sydney under-20s flyer has given Southport some momentum in 2022, with his hat-trick setting the tone for their 32-16 win.
Malachi Morgan had two tries within the opening 15 minutes, before adding his third to complete a brilliant day on the wing.
He was joined on the scorers sheet by Michael Oldfield, while halfback Blake Scott and club hero Brock Hamill also crossed.
Hamill was not sighted on the team sheet in the lead up to the game, after playing reserve grade last week. However he returned to the edge in time for kick off as the Tigers went back-to-back for the first time this season.
DEFENSIVE SLOG OPENS CURRUMBIN ACCOUNT
Currumbin coach Matt Geyer admitted before the Eagles clash with Tugun that he had been “bitterly disappointed” by his side’s start to the season.
But now, with a pair of tough defeats behind them, the red army have showcased the defensive resolve which could put the rest of Rugby League Gold Coast on alert.
The proximity between Currumbin and the Seahawks has inspired a heated rivalry between the two outfits, and the contest embodied that.
There were no tries to speak of, just grit and aggression off the ball. Two penalty goals from Eagles halfback Scott Bunt was all that separated the teams, as the red army claimed their first win of the year in a 4-0 war of attrition.
Despite the absence of tries, there is little doubt Geyer will be optimistic about the future, given the fight his young group showed against last year’s runners-up.
“We’re quite a young group by age and games experience and I know they’re all local juniors,” Geyer said in the lead up to Sunday’s affair.
“They’re ones we’ve developed from the club since they were eight years old. We’ve got to be in it for the long haul.”
EVEN SPREAD IN BURLEIGH DEMOLITION JOB
The Bears never looked troubled in this one, flexing their ability to score points in a 40-4 demolition of Helensvale.
Burleigh’s dominance began through the middle of the field, with hooker Jordan Scott and edge forward Blake Campbell scoring early doubles.
Then they went with the shift, as Regan Ogle (two) and Dante Lasio got on the score sheet, before lock Lochlyn Sheldon did it through the guts once again.
The Hornets salvaged a consolation try out Stellan Arthurs in a match reminiscent of the previous week’s defeat to Runaway Bay – outclassed but fought to the end.
REDBACKS PUT ON A CLINIC
After his side’s win over Southport, Redbacks coach Martin Griese praised the influence fullback Kyle Williams had on the team.
This time around, he broke the game wide open from the outset.
The Mudgeereaba custodian helped himself to 20 personal points in his side’s 44-0 triumph over Ormeau, scoring two tries and kicking six goals.
At the time, Griese said Williams’ experience and composure at the back were his greatest assets. But on Sunday he showcased the individual skill that made him a threat.
Edge forward Nathan Schwass opened the scoring with a double of his own, keeping his side on the front foot early as they kept themselves within the competition’s top four.
Originally published as Gold Coast Titans cult hero Kevin Gordon makes stunning rugby league return for the Tamborine Mountain Bushrats
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