By Murray Belkin
Gold Coast SUNS season may be drawing to a close, but youngster Dion Prestia believes the fighting spirit his side displayed against the Demons will be the GC SUNS trademark in the future.
Despite the GC SUNS suffering a five-goal defeat to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, the 18-year-old says the second- and last-quarter performances of his teammates shows his side is on the right path.
The GC SUNS were within six points at half-time and then sent a scare through the Melbourne ranks, kicking four of the first five goals of the final term to cut the deficit to less than three goals.
"We have been focusing on trying to play four quarters each game," Prestia told goldcoastfc.com.au.
"The boys probably put together a solid effort today and it was good we could we came back in the second quarter and get within a goal at half-time.
"It was good the boys kept fighting to finish off the game well."
Selected by the GC SUNS with the ninth pick in the NAB AFL Draft last year, Prestia admitted he had exceeded his own expectations in a testing debut season for the tough midfielder.
Averaging 16 disposals a game, Prestia has already managed 16 matches this season and continued his good form against the Demons, finishing with 24 possessions including four tackles and seven clearances.
"My expectation was to play 12 games this year and this was my 16th. It's more than I expected so I'm pretty happy with that," he said.
"As I have played more games consistently (I played about 10 games in a row before I was rested) I started to get more confidence in myself and I think the team has more confidence to finish off games."
Prestia was also one of a handful of GC SUNS to have already played at the MCG, having two national games at under-16 and under-18 level as well as two school games on the hallowed turf.
He was happy to pass on his words of wisdom to teammates who had yet to see or play at the ground, conceding there were a few starstruck players during the warm-up.
"With all the big stands around you … during the warm-ups we got used to it, had a look around and got the nerves settled," he said.
"It was just getting used to the stands and how swirly the breeze is because you don't know which way it could go.
"It was a big occasion for the boys. It was our first game and the boys were pretty excited about playing at the MCG and we went pretty well."
Prestia is hoping the GC SUNS supporters are out in full force for their clash against the high-flying Hawks at Metricon Stadium next Saturday afternoon, with the midfielder adamant his side can cause a major upset.
"Last game for the year – hopefully all the supporters will come out and support the boys. We will be pretty fired up to get a win at Metricon Stadium."
