The moment Nathan Bock could no longer comfortably walk up the set of four stairs that greet players at the entrance to the GC SUNS’ training facility, was the moment the one-time All-Australian defender realised a return to the AFL was a step too far.

”I always joked to ‘Bluey’ (coach Guy McKenna) about was the four stairs we have at training,” a grinning Bock told reporters on Tuesday.

“When I walked up them every day and I’m struggling to get up them and feeling pretty sore, I just sort of knew AFL footy is a fair way off the cards.”

The club’s inaugural vice-captain battled through injury in his four years on the Gold Coast, with the most significant coming from a horrific broken leg sustained in the side’s round 6 clash with Fremantle in 2012.

Despite his and the club’s best efforts to get him back to full fitness, Bock was never the same player who netted a Best & Fairest and an All-Australian jumper at the Adelaide Crows before becoming one of the SUNS’ six uncontracted player signings before Gold Coast’s introduction to the AFL.

But those that followed his progress in the club’s inaugural season will fondly remember him as one of the game’s best fullbacks, filling a key defensive post in a young and developing backline that relied heavily on his experience and valuable leadership.

In fact, emerging defenders such as the likes of Seb Tape and Trent McKenzie, along with newcomer Karmichael Hunt, all walked a little taller knowing he was on their side.

Now looking back, Bock said he couldn’t be more excited for the club’s defensive future, which he believes has been left in capable hands given the continued rise of Rory Thompson and All-Australian candidate Steven May.

The now departing SUN says his mentorship in the locker rooms with the defensive pair may have ignited a desire to move in to coaching down the track.

“I feel like the last couple of years, not playing footy, I’ve always had a development coaching role as Bluey was saying with Steven May and Rory Thompson,” he said.

“(They’ve) been able to develop into genuine key defenders who now, Rory last year and Steven this year, have played some sensational footy.

“I almost feel as like I’ve had a lot to do with the progress they’ve made; definitely something I’m interested in following up.”

But for now, Bock says he’s looking forward to breaking away from the always-demanding AFL environment and mentally and physically refreshing himself from the game that has consumed his life for the past decade.

“For the time being I might take some time off, mentally refresh because emotionally and mentally it has taken its toll a little bit.

“Take some time off and clear the mind.”