Gordon's Intrust Super Shute Shield victory over Eastern Suburbs at Wade Park on Saturday was much-needed in terms of their resurgent 2019 season, but it meant more than just staying in touch with the top six for a number of the Highlanders.
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Jumping on board Orange Emus and Orange City's Indigenous round, the Highlanders donned spectacular, one-off jerseys in to celebrate the history and culture of Australia's traditional custodians, which were auctioned off in aid of the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Program.
Somewhat breaking the rugby union mould - traditionally at the higher levels there hasn't been a huge percentage of Indigenous players - Gordon fielded almost half a dozen stars with Aboriginal heritage in their top side, including skipper and No.8 Jordy Goddard.
It's just massive and it was great to see all the locals getting behind with [Emus and Orange City] wearing Indigenous jerseys too.
- Gordon skipper Jordy Goddard
Naturally, he couldn't speak highly of the concept, labelling it "special, really special".
"It is special to be able to acknowledge our ancestors, our country and the incredible culture that we're a part of like this. It's a culture the whole of Australia should be really proud of, and it was great to do it during National Reconcilliation Week too," Goddard said.
"It's just massive and it was great to see all the locals getting behind with [Emus and Orange City] wearing Indigenous jerseys too.
"We've had probably a dozen or so boys with Indigenous heritage in the club over the last three or four years so we were all stoked. The boys who aren't Indigenous really got behind it too, they knew what it was all about and they know how much it means to us so it was special, really special."
It marked a memorable occasion for one of those players in particular, Moree product Alex Barker, who made his run-on debut at fullback in the Indigenous round clash.
He was spectacular in the Highlanders' win too.
"He's a good lad Alex, he's still only in his early 20s so he's got a lot of rugby in front of him," Goddard said of his young custodian.
"He's come through Riverview, he's finished university and he's in a good job now so he's a real leader on and off the field, he's a real role model for his community back in Moree too. He's breaking he cycle in a way, I guess.
"He came through our colts system at Gordon and has been a part of the National Indigenous Sevens program too, he's got a lot of talent, when he backs himself he can do anything on any given day and he proved that on Saturday.
"He proved he's capable of playing first grade and doing really, really well. I see him as a leader in the future and someone the club can really build around.
"I'm really proud of him, we all are."
Gordon's 42-22 victory was built on the back of a powerful scrum and huge performances from the three Abel brothers - Jacob, Robbie and Charlie - and keeps the Highlanders in touch with the competition's top six.
They face Manly this weekend, the Marlins coming off a narrow, 24-19 victory over West Harbour at Concord Oval last weekend.
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Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
