With just six games remaining in the Gold Coast SUNS' season, there is still plenty to salvage from a frustrating year according to veteran midfielder Michael Rischitelli.
 
Injuries have devastated Gold Coast this season with a never-before-seen injury toll wiping out an entire first-choice midfield and forcing Rischitelli to wear the brunt of the workload for the duration of 2015.
 
During a difficult season both on-field and off-field, the former Brisbane Lions best and fairest winner has produced his most consistent season at Metricon Stadium to be among the favourites for this year’s best and fairest.
 
The end is closer than the start as far as Rischitelli is concerned, with an elusive premiership appearing further away than it did five months ago. But, as the season enters the last chapter (for those not playing finals) Rischitelli believes it is important to finish in the right manner to help build momentum heading into next season.
 
“It’s been a tough year but we’ve just got to be really positive. If we can get something out of this last six weeks, we can carry it on to next year. And that will start this week against West Coast,” Rischitelli told the media at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday.
 
“We need to really try and get on board four quarters, we’ve been going ok for three quarters, but just that last quarter we’ve had a bit of a fadeout but we’ve got to rectify that.”
 
One player who has blossomed as a leader this season is key forward Tom Lynch. With recognised leaders unavailable for large chunks of the year due to injury, the Victorian spearhead has enhanced his reputation as a leader. Not only through his actions on the field of battle, but also his conduct off the ground.
 
Against Adelaide last weekend, Lynch was absolutely everywhere. He did damage at both ends of the ground in a performance that oozed leadership. Rischitelli revealed the 22-year-old is a great example for his teammates through his application to his craft.
 
“He’s been really good. Tom Lynch is a bit of a beast on the field. He’s a very modest sort of guy. He works really hard around the club and that’s why he’s the player that he is,” Rischitelli said.
 
“He’s a great player, but he’s also a great person and that’s why he’s been going really good. He’s one of the guys that a lot of people respect.”