Dyldam Parramatta Eels fullback Michael Gordon will line up for his 200th NRL game this Friday night (August 12) when the Blue and Gold take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium for Round 23 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
For Gordon, who spent his early career playing at the Penrith Panthers (2006-12) before a stint with the Cronulla Sharks (2013-15), the 200 game milestone is something he dreamt of as a kid and something he is super proud of.
“I dreamt of playing one as a kid, and to get 200 I am completely over the moon,” Gordon said.
“I had a couple of lean years at the last couple years at Penrith, I went back to back season ending injuries, so I did it hard a few years back but to get to 200, I am super proud.”
Despite spending just the one year at the Blue and Gold, making the move to the Sydney Roosters in 2017, Gordon says it will be tough to move on at the end of the year.
“It is hard to move along from any team because you build such a good relationship over a pre-season let alone over a full season, and we have certainly had enough stuff going on off the field to bring everyone together so it brings everyone tighter and it is always hard to leave,” Gordon said.
“There is something brewing really well here and obviously it would be a great to be a part of it but that’s footy and ill move on at the end of the year but I will enjoy it whilst I am here to finish.”
And despite just the one year in the Blue and Gold, Gordon will look back on the year with a smile and take away some great lessons from the season.
“I will look back with a smile. I have had such a good time here,” Gordon said.
“BA has created a great culture here and one that is based on hard work. We have certainly worked hard, and we are still working hard, and it’s about not giving up on your mate and being there for him.”
“I have learnt some great lessons from this season so I look back on it with nothing but pleasure.”
The Eels kick off against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night (12 August), kick off at 7:50pm.
