Gold Coast SUNS Captain Gary Ablett had the pleasure of presenting the Clubs latest debutant Piers Flanagan with his playing Guernsey ahead of Sunday's round 21 match against the inform Hawthorn.

It’s a role he has played on 36 occasions since taking reigns as Captain of the Gold Coast SUNS and the sixth time he has performed the duty this season.

The skipper pleased to see another talented young Gold Coaster getting a game on the big stage.

“Piers Flanagan has got a game which is fantastic, I think as a club we have made a real effort over the past two years to give as many guys games as we possibly can and I think he is one of those guys who has been playing really well in the reserves and has been unlucky not to get a game.”

Each time Ablett bestows the honour he is reminded of his own debut and hopes it means as much to the young SUNS as it did to him.

“It was a pretty exciting time for me to play my first game and there is no doubt he is pretty excited and you can tell by the way he has been training.”

The occasion will be even more memorable for the gifted utility with his debut to be made on the codes most cherished surface the MCG.

The challenge is also enormous with the former Geelong Falcons junior thrown into the Premiership fray against the competitions form side.

It’s going to be a massive day, my older brother had actually booked to fly up to the Gold Coast for the weekend and now he is changing flights to make sure he is in Melbourne for the game.

“Hawthorn are such a quality side and if you are going to test yourself against anyone in the Premiership at the moment, they are certainly setting the standards and I anticipate a really tough afternoon.” 

Severely hampered by a hip injury that required surgery in 2011, Piers has worked hard to build his body up and, with his good skill set off a wing or half-back, most believe he has the ability to impress at senior level.

Obviously toiling away in the NEAFL, you keep working towards this opportunity and I am really glad to be given the chance to play for the Gold Coast SUNS at AFL level, I cant wait. Said Flanagan.

The gifted utility, Piers Flanagan joined the GC SUNS as an underage priority pick at the beginning of 2010.

The Gold Coast SUNS final squad to play the Hawks will be announced on the website at 5:00pm today