Finals have been out of sight for quite some time now, but despite a slow march to the end of the season, the Gold Coast SUNS are still seeking improvement from the final chapter of the season according to star forward Tom Lynch.
 
To measure the season purely based on the win-loss column would stamp this year as a failure. And whilst this might still be the case given Gold Coast has produced just two and a half wins, leadership and development progress has been a large focus throughout the year.
 
With just five games remaining in 2015, Rodney Eade’s side isn’t crawling to the finish line in search of respite. Instead, on the back of last Saturday’s strong performance against West Coast, Lynch says the SUNS are striving to make gains in the back end of the year, and in search of a much needed win against Brisbane.
 
“I think we’ve got to continue on improving. I feel like we’ve made big gains this year, the scoreboard hasn’t reflected it so far,” Lynch told the media at Southport State High School on Monday afternoon.
 
“Obviously we’ve got Brisbane this week and we’re pretty pumped up about that. We want to go up and beat them at the Gabba. We don’t like losing to them, hopefully we can beat them twice for the year.”
 
Injuries have forced players to fulfil duties that they otherwise wouldn’t have been asked to perform in an ideal world. The added exposure has been a silver lining in a bleak season in Carrara, with player development blossoming through added responsibility.
 
Lynch believes a young and inexperienced engine room can take some confidence out of their performance against one of the more talented, diverse and deep midfields in West Coast.
 
“I looked at the starting midfield, it was Aaron Hall who’s played predominantly forward, Jesse Lonergan’s played a bit down back and Touk Miller’s just a first-year player,” Lynch said.
 
“I think it gives the guys good confidence that they can match it with the best.  A lot of guys had big jobs that they really stuck to and gave it their all. I think when we bring the effort and the pressure we can match it.”