It was back to business for the Gold Coast SUNS this week as the playing list returned for what promises to be club-defining 2015 campaign.

A two-kilometre time trial was set to welcome back the players on Wednesday for their first training session for the New Year, however heavy rain resulted in the gruelling race against the clock being postponed until Friday.

Instead, the SUNS turned their focus towards sharpening their skills on the slippery Metricon Stadium deck, with Head of Development Andy Lovell saying the wet weather conditions added another dimension to training.

“It makes for a good change up as we’ve normally have to train under increased humidity and warmer temperatures at this time of the year,” he said.

Under the watchful eye of senior coach Rodney Eade and his assistants, the players were led through a series of development circuits designed to test their kicking and handball techniques under pressure.

Precision kicking, divisional work and individualised conditioning also featured in the comeback meet.

Albeit the lighter session will come as a refreshing reward following what was an arduous pre-Christmas training block, the players still turned in a strong display at every training drill, determined to get the most out of the opening day.

“There was a strong and clear message to the playing group regarding the coaches’ expectations and standards leading into the Christmas break,” Lovell said.

“Pleasingly, it seems as though they have come back in really good nick, so that’s a promising sign leading into the next phase of our pre-season program.”

Unfortunately, late in the session, midfielder Andrew Raines went down with a suspected right knee injury and after being assessed by club medical staff, took no further part in training.

The former Brisbane Lion was sent for scans to determine the full extent of the injury.

The SUNS kick off their pre-season in just 52 days with a NAB Challenge game against Geelong in Townsville on Sunday March 1.