Steven May's young career was meandering along when Gold Coast assistant coach Dean Solomon delivered a rocket that left a lasting impression on the new SUNS co-captain.

May was drafted by Gold Coast prior to their inaugural season as a brash, confident full-forward who had earned selection as an under-18 All Australian.

After three seasons, he'd shown some flashes – including 12 marks and three goals against premier Hawthorn at the MCG – but nothing like the level of consistency required at the top level.

He was coasting.

Then Solomon - the SUNS' defensive coach - stepped in.

"I wasn't professional. I wasn't mature," May admitted.

WATCH: Lynch and May speak with SUNS TV

"He really pulled me aside and got me to pull my head in a bit with my training standards.

"He was very harsh.

"He told me I'd have a spot in the team for 10 years if I was willing to do the work."

An excellent 2014 season ensued, with May stationed at full-back, but his leadership really emerged with Rodney Eade's appointment as coach ahead of 2015.

While his co-captain Tom Lynch has looked destined for higher honours since the day he walked into the club, May has been more of a slow burn.

"Once Rocket came on board, he helped me mature," the 24-year-old said.

"He came in with full respect for me, and I had high standards for myself because of how he saw me.

"I took a bit longer than Tom to click and understand that it's professional and how you go about things."

WATCH: Steven May highlights

Late last season when Gary Ablett went in for shoulder surgery, May emerged alongside Lynch as an obvious captaincy candidate.

The extra responsibility didn't bother him – he was in career-best form – and he had no problems challenging his teammates and balancing that with empathy.

One other thing that makes May proud of his rise to prominence is his indigenous heritage.

He joins a select band of indigenous players – alongside Adam Goodes, Polly Farmer and Gavin Wanganeen – to captain their club.

"To represent the indigenous people in such a high role gives me goosebumps thinking about it," he said.

"It's not something you see a lot of and it's something as an indigenous community and indigenous footballers, we're trying to drive that and we want to have more indigenous leaders throughout the game and throughout society.

"I'm very proud."