Gold Coast’s finals hope might have sailed but the SUNS are intent on shaping the top eight in their final home and away clash against West Coast this Sunday, according to vice-captain Dion Prestia.

With the final spot in September still up for grabs, Guy McKenna’s round 23 outfit has the ability to determine whether Richmond, Collingwood or the Eagles secure a final berth.

With a history-making eleven-win season on offer for Gold Coast, Prestia told The Courier Mail his side was fixed on finishing 2014 on a high.

“We’ve clawed some real ground back in the last two weeks. Despite the results not going our way, we have challenged Port Adelaide and Essendon and both of those teams will play major roles in the finals,” he told The Courier Mail.

“This week we come up against a side that is playing for a spot in the eight, they will be desperate but so will we.

“We’ve had a lot of questions thrown at us in recent times, but I believe we have bounced back from that.”

Key defender Seb Tape endorsed Prestia’s stance, and re-affirmed there is plenty at stake in Sunday’s clash at Metricon Stadium.

“We know how important this game is to propel us into our pre-season,” Tape said.

“The guys don’t want to end on that note (a loss) going into a really important year for our club next year.

“It’s not as if it’s a nothing game for us. We’re really keen to finish off what’s been for the most part a positive year.”