On a sunny Gold Coast morning, the GC SUNS first to fourth year players were back on the Metricon Stadium training field today ready to kick off their 2015 pre-season with new senior coach Rodney Eade watching on closely.

Led by vice-captains David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch, 22 players pushed themselves through a session that strikingly had the Sherrins flying around a lot earlier in the summer calendar than previous years.

Lynch confirmed this year’s pre-season schedule was significantly different and the players had embraced the extra focus on skills-based training.

“Last year (we) identified we probably needed to improve our skills and I think Rocket’s certainly behind that as well,” he said.

“We’ve changed our pre-season up a little bit and more balls and get our fitness from drills and things like that rather than just running laps.

“I think everyone’s pretty excited about that, excited to improve in our skills and I think we can take the next step with that.”

First-choice players Harley Bennell, Sam Day, Steven May, Trent McKenzie and Matt Shaw were among those looking good on the track this morning.

Timmy Sumner and Luke Russell trained separately on the sidelines as part of the rehab group following off-season surgeries.

The remainder of the playing group commence their pre-season campaign on Monday November 17.