ALEX Sexton says his fourth quarter performance against West Coast last week has the wingman finally believing he belongs in the AFL.

“Last year I sought of got into the groove of things, having played six games in a row you start to feel like you belong, and now having played three consecutive Premiership games I really want to finish the year off strong,” Sexton told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“I’ve set the benchmark for myself and now I have to build off that.”

Taken with the 88^th pick in the 2011 AFL National Draft (Queensland zone priority pick), the former AFL/AIS Academy member has spent much of 2013 working on his development through the NEAFL under the guidance of Shaun Hart, a period Sexton says never once took for granted, listening to Hart’s every word and working to improve various aspects of his game in hope of a senior recall. 

“Back in the NEAFL, Harty and the rest of the Development Coaches continually said to be bold and to take the game on when it opened up and that I do have the ability to play AFL football,” he said.

“I showed glimpses of that on the weekend and as I said – that’s the benchmark for me now and that’s what I have to build upon.”

Although he wasn’t part of the SUNS winning team against Melbourne in Round 7 earlier this year, Sexton is hopeful he can spur his team mates towards a successive win over the Demons, after the Eagles narrowly escaped with the Premiership points in Perth. 

“The loss to West Coast was a shoot-out we probably should have won in the end,” Sexton said.

“The team was disappointed but we have another great opportunity in Melbourne this weekend.

“We certainly respect them as a footy club and know we have to come into the match with that same boldness and take the game on, and hopefully if we do those things, we’ll be celebrating the team song after the match.”