Despite a late start to the 2015 pre-season, new SUN Mitch Hallahan has his sights set on making a round one debut in the red and gold against Melbourne on April 4 at the MCG.

Hallahan, who was recruited to the Gold Coast from Hawthorn during the off-season, underwent an ankle clean-out in early October but believes he is in good shape with the football season just weeks away.

“Although I had a late start to the pre-season, I don’t feel like I’m too far behind the group, I feel very fit and confident in my body,” Hallahan told RSN Radio.

“Hopefully if I can stay fit, get some good match minutes under my belt over the NAB Challenge period, I will be putting my hand up for round one.”

GC SUNS senior coach Rodney Eade recently spoke of the benefits of training in the heat and humidity on the Gold Coast, believing it gave a "10 to 15 per cent advantage" and that his players were starting to see the benefits of heat training.

22-year-old Hallahan admitted while the extreme heat and humidity took some getting used to, he is now enjoying training in the intense conditions.

“Coming from Melbourne with the heat being a little bit drier down there and then coming up here (to the Gold Coast) to 30–40 degree days with humidity through the roof, it’s a battle,” he said.

“Took two to three weeks for my body get used to it.

“(I) lost a little bit of weight when I first moved up here and transitioned into training but I’ve adjusted pretty well to what is pretty extreme weather conditions up here.

“I’m loving it and I’m definitely feeling the benefits from what is the heat training.”