Professionalism.
 
It’s what drives AFL clubs to success and new Gold Coast SUNS rookie Tom Keough has already been struck by its abundance during the early stages of the 2016 pre-season at Metricon Stadium.
 
The likes of Gary Ablett and David Swallow have blown the mature-aged recruit away with their meticulous attention to detail towards preparation and recovery.
 
“It’s really good (life at the SUNS),” Keough told SUNS TV.
 
“Obviously a big step-up from SANFL footy and just the professionalism of it.
 
“Just seeing ‘Gaz’ and David Swallow and how they go about their preparation for training, it’s great, it’s really good.”
 
The 24-year-old teacher was selected by the SUNS with pick three in November’s AFL rookie draft and revealed he was in a meeting at school when his manager texted with the good news.
 
“The manager gave me a few clues that the SUNS might have been interested but other than that you never know so I had to sit there and watch with everyone else,” he said.
 
“I’m a teacher and yeah was just in a meeting to do with some iPads we run at school and I got a message from the manager and refreshed the page and saw my name there.”
 
The Pinnaroo product had some very lofty goals for the 2016 season.
 
“Play some good footy and win,” he said.
 
“Hopefully play some finals footy with the SUNS.”