Former Shark now at Fishies
By NICK GUTHRIE
BEING closer to family members played a huge role in former Cronulla Sharks Isaac Gordon's decision to sign with Dubbo CYMS.
The flying fullback arrived at Dubbo last week and will get himself and his family settled before pre-season begins with the Fishies
Since leaving the Sharks at the end of 2012 Gordon has spent time playing in Queensland around the Gladstone area but the former Brewarrina junior always wanted to return back to his home area.
"Family was a major thing," he admitted.
"I've got a lot of family and there's family in Brewarrina and Dubbo and there's some in Sydney so it's still in driving distance so this was a no-brainer and it's good to get back because I was 16 hours away in Gladstone."
Gordon, who scored 10 tries in 29 matches for the Shire club, confessed there was interest from a number of other clubs in Group 11.
But all it took was a call from CYMS chairman Kevin Walkom for Gordon to realise he wanted to be in green and white in 2016.
"My decision was easy once Kevin rang me," he said.
"A couple of other clubs were making offers but CYMS were the only ones willing to put pen to paper so it was an easy decision for me and I can't wait for my family to get settled and start playing."
The 29-year-old was happy to play anywhere in the Fishies backline and added he would be keen to pass on advice to some of the CYMS youngsters.
The Fishies have a number of up-and-coming players and Gordon, who won a premiership in his time with Calliope Roosters in recent seasons, is keen to take on a leadership role.
"We (Calliope) won one up there and made the major semi a couple of times and they were good to me," he said of his time with the Roosters.
"It was only a little town with a couple of hundred people so Dubbo is a bit bigger but if I can teach the boys what I know, I was in the Sharks system since I was 16, so if I can pass on anything I will."
The last time Gordon witnessed Group 11 action was when he was a child, watching his relatives coach the Narromine Jets.
He confessed a lot would have changed in the time since then and while he has not even met his new teammates yet, Gordon is already expecting big things from the competition.
"I don't know what the standard will be but people say it's close to Newcastle comp and I rate Newcastle a bit like the NSW Cup and reserve grade so it should be good," he said.
While he is keen to get on to the field as soon as possible, one thing Gordon is keen to get out of the way is a legal battle with Cronulla.
The fullback left during the supplement saga and then sued the club for negligence but he stated that was close to being concluded and then he could focus all his attention on his new club.
"I still get a long well with all the boys and all that Sharks stuff is pretty much is all wrapped up and should be done soon and then I'll just be able to worry about my footy here," he said.