Michael Gordon (rugby league)

Michael Gordon (born 24 October 1983) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin and NSW Country representative, Gordon primarily plays at fullback and wing. Gordon previously played for the Penrith Panthers between 2006-2012.

Background

Born in Cooma, New South Wales, Gordon played his junior football for the Tweed Coast Raiders and was educated at Kingscliff High School and graduated from Year 12 in 2001.

Playing career

2006

In Round 8 of the 2006 NRL season, Gordon made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at centre in the Panthers 40-12 loss at Penrith Stadium.^[2] In Round 11 against the Parramatta Eels, Gordon scored his first NRL career try in the Panthers 30-20 win at Penrith Stadium.^[3] Gordon finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 18 matches, scoring 11 tries and kicking 7 goals for the Panthers in the 2006 NRL season.

2007

Gordon finished the 2007 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches, scoring 9 tries and kicking 57 goals for the Panthers.

2008

Gordon finished the 2008 NRL season with him playing in 15 matches, scoring 11 tries and kicking 38 goals for the Penrith Panthers.

2009

During the 2009 season, Gordon kicked 23 consecutive goals before missing one. Gordon established himself as the Panthers number one goal kicker in 2009. Gordon finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 15 matches, scoring 3 tries and kicking 57 goals for the Panthers.

2010

In Game 3 of the 2010 State of Origin series, Gordon was selected to play for New South Wales on the wing, Gordon kicking 3 goals in the Blues 23-18 loss at ANZ Stadium.^[4][5] In Round 24 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gordon set a new club record for most points in a match with 30 in the Panthers 54-18 win at Penrith Stadium.^[6] At the end of 2010 NRL season, Gordon set a new club record for most points in a season with 270 points in 25 matches.

2011

Gordon was selected for the NSW Country side in the annual City vs Country Origin match on wing, scoring a try and kicking 2 goals in Country's 18-12 win in Albury.^[7] In Round 10 Gordon injured his ACL which would require surgery which would rule him out for the remainder of the season.^[8] Gordon scored a try in the match.^[9] Gordon finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in 9 matches, scoring 4 tries and kicking 25 goals for the Panthers.

2012

In May 2012, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks made Gordon an offer which he accepted before Phil Gould, Executive General Manager of the Penrith Panthers, was able to make a counter-offer. It was then announced that Gordon would be leaving for the Sharks in 2013, on a 3 year deal ending in 2015.^[10] Gordon finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 7 matches, scoring 1 try and kicking 2 goals in his last season with the Penrith Panthers.

2013

In Round 1 of the 2013 NRL season, Gordon made his club debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks against the Gold Coast Titans at fullback, kicking 2 goals in the Sharks 12-10 win at Remondis Stadium.^[11] In Round 2 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gordon scored his first club try for the Sharks in the 14-12 loss at ANZ Stadium.^[12] Gordon was selected for the NSW Country origin side for the annual City vs Country Origin match, playing at fullback in Country's 18-12 win at Coffs Harbour.^[13] Gordon finished the 2013 NRL season as the Sharks highest point scorer with 112 points in 22 matches.

2014

In Round 22 against the New Zealand Warriors, Gordon played his 150th NRL career match in the Sharks 16-12 loss at Mt Smart Stadium.^[14] Gordon finished off the 2014 NRL season with him playing in all of the Sharks 24 matches, scoring 6 tries and kicking 50 goals. On 8 September 2014, Gordon was selected for the Australia Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations train-on squad but didn't make the final 24-man squad.^[15]

References

External links

• Penrith Panthers profile
• NRL profile