Guy McKenna says the Gold Coast SUNS have moved on from the Campbell Brown issue and are embracing the hype suggesting the GC SUNS could play finals in 2014.

“I thought the club dealt with it in a really professional manner, and when I advised Campbell of the decision, he too, handled the difficult situation professionally.”

McKenna says the club now has moved on.

“Within 24 hours we're talking about how good everyone's looking, how good everyone's training," McKenna said.

"Everyone externally is talking about the chances of us playing finals and we want to embrace that. We're setting no ceilings on ourselves and we shouldn't based on the pre-season we've had so far."

Speaking publicly for the first time since Brown and the club parted ways, McKenna said the veteran recruit's three years at the club had been overwhelmingly positive.

"Everything he did for us as a football club in its infancy was exactly what we've asked for," McKenna said.

"Clearly on-field suspensions hurt you, and the incident (with Steven May) was disappointing, but what he's done is shown some players about that 50-50 ball -   you've got to make that a 51-49 ball, and he did that.

"He crossed the line and got suspended ... but he showed the boys the way to be passionate about that contest.

"As coaches we can tell them, but (when) you've got a player living and breathing that, it's a great example for the team."

Gold Coast has lodged a request with the AFL to have a rookie elevated as Brown's replacement on the senior list, but are still waiting on the outcome.