It was as ominous a message you can deliver in a pre-season clash, and reigning Group 10 player of the year and newly crowned Terry Brown medalist Jeremy Gordon did it in style.
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Courtesy of a scintillating attacking display, one that led his Indigenous side to a stunning 38-28 victory over Group 10 on Saturday, Gordon proved he’s on the cusp of another stellar campaign with Bathurst Panthers in 2017.
The mercurial fullback was pivotal during the Indigenous side’s comeback, having a hand in just about all of his side’s five second-half four-pointers.
A worthy man of the match recipient, Gordon was humbled to win the medal named after another mercurial Indigenous player, Terry Brown.
“Good young fellow, brilliant footballer and a life taken way too short,” Gordon said of Brown, who passed away on the north coast of NSW just prior to last year’s All Star clash at Cowra.
“To win this medal ... hopefully we can keep this game alive to keep the Terry Brown name alive around Group 10.”
Gordon’s acceptance speech was short, the star custodian shying away from the limelight post game.
But he later summed up the beauty of the All Stars concept better than anyone.
“Reconciliation. Bringing all cultures together, that’s what it’s all about. It’s not about the footy, it’s about celebrating Aboriginality, Islanders, Australians, everyone getting together and playing a bit of footy,” he said.
Gordon believes his side’s speed was the catalyst for the 10-point triumph.
“I think maybe our speed around the ruck. They’re a big team, and they bashed us up there in the first half but I was confident we’d come home,” he said.
“Simon Osborne is a freak, he keeps getting better with age, Jono Van Veen, the older forwards kept us in the game.”