Sharks Gordon Finds His Feet
Adam Lucius, Sportal
27/04/2010 7:54:23 PM
Cronulla winger Isaac Gordon feels he's arrived in the NRL after admitting he struggled for confidence after being elevated ahead of schedule at the start of the year.
As he prepares to play in just his fifth top grade match against bitter rivals St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Saturday night, the Sharks flyer revealed being dropped after two rounds was probably the best thing to happen to him.
"I didn't think I’d be starting the season in first grade and I don’t think Ricky (Stuart) did either to be honest," Gordon said.
"I played the first and second round but then found myself out of the team."
"I probably wasn't playing with the confidence I needed so when I got another chance I wanted to show that I was up to it."
After his two-try double in the win over Newcastle took his season tally to three, the rookie winger is starting to show he belongs.
"It's always good to get a couple of 'meat pies' and hopefully there are a few more to come," Gordon said.
"Like I said, it was all about confidence and I feel I'm getting better in that area with each game."
Gordon and the Sharks face arguably their toughest test of the season to date on Saturday night.
Local derbies are always fierce encounters and the top-of-the-table Dragons go in at the peak of their game.
"It's going to be a very tough game," Gordon declared.
"I played my junior football with the Sharks and the rivalry with the Dragons was always pretty intense."
"They're killing it at the moment but we go in with a bit of confidence."
"For us it all comes down to completing sets. We completed 79 per cent against Storm and they only just beat us and we did it against Parramatta and Newcastle and came away with wins."
"We've just to hold the ball and get to our kicks."
"If we do exactly what we did on Saturday night and get into the grind then we'll be in the game."
Stuart has named an unchanged side for the short trip to the Gong, adding Stuart Flanagan to an extended bench.
