goldcoastfc.com.au exclusive
Guy McKenna predicts steep improvement from the majority of the GC SUNS second year players in 2012 but has singled-out Dion Prestia as the one who excites him most heading into the club's second AFL season.
The nuggety midfielder played 17 games last year, second only to Trent McKenzie and David Swallow among the club's teenagers.
The 19-year-old was taken with pick 9 in the 2010 Draft - move that raised some eyebrows at the time because he didn't have the reputation of some of the other draftees.
But McKenna feels the gamble has already paid off.
When quizzed about which player besides superstar skipper Gary Ablett excited him the most he was happy to nominate Prestia.
"I think Dion Prestia, from when I first saw him walk into the club, to where he is now, I mean, he's gone from a good junior footballer to a player fairly well down the path to being a fully fledged professional,’’ McKenna said.
"The growth in him this year has been unbelievable.''
Prestia was part of the side that competed in the GC SUNS historic Rd 2 debut against Carlton last year and stayed in the seniors for another two games before being relegated back to the reserves.
However, he finished the season stronger than most of the GC SUNS' youngsters, forcing his way back into the senior side in Rd 10 and playing all the remaining games bar one which he missed because of a slight Achilles injury.
McKenna said the club's two week training camp in Arizona over summer had helped the younger players make considerable fitness gains that should lead to improved performances on the battle field.
"We had 29 personal bests when we returned from Arizona, so I am sure that they will all improve in their own way shape or form,'' he said.
The GC SUNS are keen to add to their three wins of 2011 but the pass mark for a successful second season will be an improved ability to remain competitive within games for longer.
"Our ability to go from a half of football out to three quarters of football is going to give us a better opportunity to win games of football,'' he said.
"Our pre-season has shown we can do that, the small data we have got over the NAB Cup is pointing to us being able to do that, so ultimately that's the challenge and I believe we can achieve it.''
