Michael Gordon is a footballer who has never taken anything in his career for granted. From Penrith to Cronulla to Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters, he has hopped along since his NRL debut in 2006 on mostly one-year contracts and landed where opportunity knocked.

Last year, during the salary cap turmoil at the Eels, he recognised one at Bondi Junction and seized upon it. After three successive minor premierships, Trent Robinson's young side had endured a difficult season but Gordon saw mountains of upside and a role he could play in it.

"They didn't have the greatest year here last year but that didn't deter me from coming," Gordon told Fairfax Media ahead of the Roosters' qualifying final against Brisbane at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. "I just saw more opportunity and I suppose it was that more than not being wanted at Parramatta or anything like that. I saw it as a new challenge."

Eels coach Brad Arthur had in fact wanted to keep Gordon, but knowing that the emerging Bevan French was seen out that way as the long-term fullback he jumped at the interest in him shown by Robinson.