He’s only been at the club for two seasons, but SUNS ruckman Jarrod Witts is quickly becoming one of Gold Coast’s most respected leaders.

In the absence of Steven May and David Swallow on Sunday against Melbourne, Witts was given his first opportunity to lead the football club as on-field captain.

The softly-spoken 25-year-old told SUNS TV it was a huge honour to skipper the side at the MCG.

“I really wanted to take it on (the captaincy) and I was really keen to take it on when Dewy told me,” Witts said.

“I’m honoured that he gave me that responsibility and I enjoyed the experience.” 

Despite going down in a heavy loss to the Demons, Witts said there was still a lot the side can take out of matching up against a premiership contender.

“In a long-term perspective we can see where they’ve come from and where they are now,” Witts said. 

“They’re a top-four team and they taught us a lesson today. 

“There’s the things that blokes will take out of that game and they can take into next weekend and then going forward into next year.”

The Demons quickly got away from the SUNS in the opening quarter, and Witts says that needs to be heavily analysed going into this weekend’s game against ladder-leaders Richmond.

“That will be a focus for us… to match them in the contest,” he said.

“I think we were down minus 22 in contested ball at quarter time so if we’re down like that we’re not going to be in the game. 

“I think that will be a huge focus for us going forward.”