On the eve of his 600th game as player or coach, Gold Coast SUNS senior coach Rodney Eade admits he now finds pleasure and motivation in simpler things.

Eade had an illustrious career as a player, winning four premierships with Hawthorn across 259 games with the Hawks and Brisbane Bears.

Aside from his playing accolades, the veteran mentor also has a long resume of coaching roles including the Sydney Swans, Western Bulldogs and now the Gold Coast SUNS.

He revealed the sport he has dedicated his life to has changed dramatically over the years and is possibly at its best right now.

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“I think it is, it looks great at the moment,” Eade told reporters at Metricon Stadium on Friday.

“I must admit I enjoy the role, I like coaching, I like developing young people. So that’s the thing that drives me. With the results, well they come when they come.

“I’m not blasé about a premiership.”

‘Rocket’ admits he has mellowed over the years after establishing a reputation as a fiery personality inside the coaches box.

Over his lengthy coaching career, Eade has learnt sometimes straight down the line facts to a player’s face yield the best results.

“I think really, with such a young group too, you educate and teach, but by the same token, they don’t know what they don’t know,” he said.

“I think sometimes there needs to be some good direction and some good rules around.”

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The coach’s winning formula for motivating young players is something both he and the club have been clear on.

“Good culture, good leadership, good direction for older players- and coaches can enable that,” he said.

“It’s a tough competition. I think full credit to the players they really throw themselves in, I don’t think it’s even been tougher to play the game.

“Apart form physically playing it it’s just the knowledge they’ve got to take on board and the education they’ve got to take, players who cant do that don’t survive either.”