One of the few Gold Coast SUNS to have played finals football, Michael Rischitelli, admits the club has to continue to build next season after the disappointment of missing a golden opportunity to taste September action.

After a red-hot start to the year, the GC SUNS ended up dropping 10 of their last 13 games, and were already out of the running for the finals by the time they copped a 52-point thumping at the hands of West Coast on Sunday.

Rischitelli picked up a game-high 34 disposals against the Eagles – six more than he’d collected in any other game in the 2014 home and away season – but it was little solace for the vice-captain who craves a return to post-season action for the first time since his Brisbane Lions reached the second week of the finals in 2009.

“It’s obviously a bit hard with not making finals,” Rischitelli said.

“I thought the boys this year really had a crack and we’re on the up. The wins are coming.

“Hopefully next year we’ll just keep building.”

While the year finished on a sour note, Rischitelli said the continued emergence of the team’s young core provided plenty of hope for 2015.

“Maysie’s (defender Steven May) been terrific this year. Jaeger (O’Meara) again stepped up. Jacky Martin’s come good second half of the season.

“It’s pretty good seeing those guys making their mark and doing their bit. It’s pretty exciting.

“I know the boys will have a good break, but once we come back, we’ll be ready to go.”