Gordon to prove critics wrong with home grown talent in Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts, Rd 1 team

They had a year to remember in 2024 but their coach reckons rivals still don’t rate his Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts side - and it’s fired them up for the start of the season.

Gordon Colts captain Will McKinnon. Pictures: Andrew Quinn and Norrie Yoshida

Gordon coach Joel Rivers is bemused - and annoyed - his side isn’t taken as seriously as he believes they should be ahead of the new Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts season.

Rivers said most of his Colts are longstanding Gordon juniors and old and close friends, making their bond on and off the field especially strong.

They are also the defending competition runners-up from 2024 after falling to Eastern Suburbs in the grand final.

“They have a camaraderie already and that’s what took us to the grand final last year,’’ Rivers said of his young charges. “They are good players and good friends.’’

Gordon head into the 2025 season with nine returning players from last year’s team and a number of big names, including Australian Sevens speedster Aden Ekanayake who is also playing XVs.

Gordon Colts captain Will McKinnon. Pictures: Andrew Quinn and Norrie Yoshida

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“Last year we sat first on the ladder for the first few rounds and then third and fourth for the rest of the season – no one was going to catch Easts, they were an exceptional team,’’ Rivers said.

“We lost four games all year. Two to Easts and we beat Sydney Uni twice, including in the semis when no one thought we had a chance. We beat them at home.

“It’s annoying. No one gives us a chance after losing four games all year and a grand final.

“It’s fired us up. The only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves.

“They are desperate to win.’’

Gordon’s first outing is against the Parramatta Two Blues on Saturday.

Gordon lineout. Pictures: Andrew Quinn and Norrie Yoshida

GORDON 1ST COLTS TEAM FOR ROUND 1

1 WILL MCKINNON, 2 FINN GRAHAM, 3 TUNUI JORGENSEN, 4 OLIVER RYAN, 5 CHARLIE FOSTER, 6 CHARLIE BURT, 7 ANGUS PATERSON, 8 HARRY DARLING, 9 BAILEY PAETEL, 10 BEN PLAYFORD, 11 ZANDER WARD, 12 AARON NEVILLE-SMITH, 13 HAMISH MACDONALD, 14 MAX ROACH, 15 FREDDIE POWELL, 20 CHARLIE BAKER

SYDNEY RUGBY UNION 1ST COLTS CLUBS

Easts, Eastwood, Gordon, Manly, Norths, Randwick, Souths, Sydney Uni, Two Blues, Warringah, West Harbour, Wildfires

SRU 1ST COLTS W MCMAHON SHIELD RD 1

Manly v Norths Manly Oval 4/4/2025 7:50pm

Wildfires v Warringah Newcastle Sports Ground 5/4/2025 11:50am

Two Blues v Gordon Eric Tweedale Stadium 5/4/2025 11:50am.

West Harbour v Sydney Uni St John’s College Oval 5/4/2025 12:30pm

Souths v Easts Woollahra Oval 5/4/2025 3pm

Eastwood v Randwick Nagle Park 5/4/2025 3:30pm.

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Originally published as Gordon to prove critics wrong with home grown talent in Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts, Rd 1 team