The sweltering conditions the Gold Coast SUNS have had to endure this summer has added another dimension to the club’s pre-season training according to two GC SUNS players.

The team is determined to reap the benefits of training under the sun, believing that the Queensland heat has given them a competitive advantage over their southern AFL rivals.

Exciting midfielder Dion Prestia admitted to goldcoastfc.com.au that he struggled to adapt to the scorching temperatures when he first arrived in the tourism capital late in 2010.

“My first preseason up here was really challenging… after growing up in Melbourne I just found it really difficult to acclimatise.”

“While it has been tough, it really is a benefit… players in Melbourne won’t be training in this heat so we have to really take advantage of that.”

The emerging star believes that training under such extreme conditions will further develop the team’s endurance capacity, an area of their game the GC SUNS are looking to improve in 2013 after being out run in a number of games last season.

“There were times last year where we were ahead at half time but couldn’t sustainably play four quarters of football and were eventually run over.”

“We’re definitely looking at improving on that and finishing games a lot better, and I’m confident training under such heat will help us achieve that.”

Prestia’s teammates Luke Russell said while he prefers to train under the warmer, more testing conditions, the Tasmanian still does his best to escape to cooler climates.

“Originally being from Tassie, I can’t say I personally enjoy it too much.”

“I do like to get out of it when I can, but it really is a bonus to be able to train up here under such extreme humidity, while other teams in Victoria don’t have the same luxury.”