During pre-season training, Dion Prestia’s leadership credentials were validated when he was elected into a revamped six-man leadership group alongside the likes of David Swallow and Tom Lynch.

Now Prestia will get the opportunity to show he can lead on his own, with the elite midfielder handed captaincy duties for this Saturday’s QClash encounter at the Gabba.

The honour comes on the back of a rotation policy implemented by coach Guy McKenna, with the deputies all to alternate in the top job for the remainder of the season as the club looks to identify its next captain.

Prestia, who is considered a long-term leadership prospect for Gold Coast, told The Courier Mail it was an honour to be given the “skipper” badge this weekend.

"I’m looking forward to captaining the team this week, it is a massive game and really important for us to get another win," he said.

"We’ve got a couple of positions to fill down back, but we think we have the players to come in and perform well."

Brisbane have made no secret their intentions of putting a damper on the SUNS’ finals chances, with Lions players Dayne Zorko and Tom Rockliff telling media earlier this week their desire to ensure Gold Coast don't play finals football.

But while the Lions have little to play for, the SUNS are still in the hunt for September action, and Prestia says his team would not get wound up in a sparring challenge.

"It wouldn’t matter who we played this week, it was always going to be a big game, if we want to play finals footy we need to win on Saturday," he said.