Gordon: ‘I’ll play wherever’

Penrith utility Michael Gordon says he’d be willing to play in the front row if it guaranteed him a starting spot.

Gordon played a starring role in the Panthers’ 26-10 trial victory over the Panthers at the weekend, marking a successful return from a knee reconstruction.

The versatile 28-year-old was struck down with the injury against Brisbane in round 10 last year, but Gordon is happy with his recovery.

“I’ve got all the confidence in the knee,” he told the club website.

“Yeah it tested the right knee out but I’ve had a full pre-season under my belt and it’s been pretty much nine months, so it’s been a long time and I’m just excited to get out there.”

Gordon’s performance against the Eels was definitely a plus point for new Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.

“Ivan (initially) wanted me to go back on in the centres but the medical staff kept me off as a precaution, even though I was more than happy to play and go back out,” added Gordon

His main rival for the full back jersey is the prodigiously talented Lachlan Coote, who topped the charts as the Panthers’ top try scorer despite missing the start of the season with injury.

But Gordon will just be happy to be selected, adding: “I’ll play wherever mate, put me in the front row and I’ll be happy.

“I suppose that’s out of our hands now, and all we can do is wait and see.”