A silver lining out of the myriad of injury concerns at the Gold Coast SUNS has been the invaluable lessons learned by first, second and third-year players, particularly the crop in defence.

Whilst the absence of Steven May and Rory Thompson hasn’t impacted Jesse Lonergan from a positional perspective, the guidance typically provided by the pair has forced the Tasmanian trio of Lonergan, Kade Kolodjashnij and Henry Schade to come out of their shells and take greater ownership of the back six.

The absence of Nick Malceski has compounded the lack of experience and leadership, forcing Lonergan and co to learn on the job. And whilst the lessons have been brutal at times, the development opportunity has been invaluable.

“The injuries have gave them an opportunity to stand up. Kade’s been fantastic down back. He’s a quiet lad but he’s been leading with his voice and ‘Schadey’ as well, he’s been playing on the best key forwards in the comp every week. He’s only played a handful of games but he’s battling hard,” Lonergan told SUNS RAW following the loss to Sydney on Saturday night.

“We don’t have Malceski and those sorts of guys, so it gives an opportunity for the boys to step up and hopefully we can grow as a collective, as the younger boys and really show improvements week-to-week.”

On Saturday night, against premiership fancies Sydney, Lonergan produced arguably his finest performance at AFL level. And after being recruited as an inside midfielder, he has become a Rodney Eade project in 2015, with the veteran mentor grooming him as a small defender.

The 20-year-old finished the night with a career-high 23 possessions, 12 contested, six marks and five tackles, and he paid tribute to the influence of May on him and the young group of defenders.

“I’m still learning and its still a tough experience down back,” Lonergan said.

“(May) he went down with injury tonight but he’s awesome down there. He really controls us and makes me feel comfortable down there once we’ve got the voice and as confidence.”