To give you an indication of the form Brandon Matera is in, over just the last four games he has booted 11 goals, which is exactly one-third of what he managed in his first three seasons in the AFL.

Much has been made of Gold Coast’s mobile set of bigs – Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Charlie Dixon – roaming inside the club’s forward 50 this season, but Matera has complemented them perfectly since coming back from suspension in the round five win over Melbourne, the start of the GC SUNS’ current four-game winning streak.

Last week, Matera, Lynch and skipper Gary Ablett became the first trio to kick four goals each in the same match for the SUNS in the win over St Kilda.  

Injuries have put paid to the 22-year-old building any real momentum throughout his AFL career to date, but the left-footer is confident a stronger frame this season will allow him to continue to absorb the punishment dished out by defenders across the competition.

“Probably this year I’ve been going in to contests and being able to take those extra knocks,” Matera told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“A bit more weight and a bit more muscle has enabled me to stay in the contests longer.

“This year has obviously been better for me.  I actually got through a full pre-season, which helps.

“And playing in the forward line alongside Tom Lynch, Sam Day, Charlie (Dixon) and Aaron (Hall) every week helps you out.”

Three of Matera’s goals on Sunday came from efforts that any small forward would be proud of: he started with a stunning effort in the first quarter when he snapped truly from 30 metres out going full speed to his left; in the second term he weaved his way through a group of Saints defenders with a clever balk before splitting the sticks; while in the third he helped stave off a St Kilda comeback with a poacher’s goal, kicking it over his head from the top of the goal square.

There were plenty of other highlight reel moments from the game, but the man known as ‘Fish’ said the team fell down on its work rate in tight, something they can’t afford to do against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

“We dropped down 1 or 2 per cent on contested ball,” he said.

“Obviously we have to concentrate on four quarters, keep our contested footy up and keep cracking in.”