Gold Coast SUNS senior coach Rodney Eade last week described 18-year-old Darcy Macpherson as a “blonde-haired version of Touk Miller” with his competitive nature a real standout on the training track over the pre-season.

Miller was a revelation in his debut campaign, playing all 22 games and averaging 17 disposals per game. But it was his constant pressure that separated him from his peers; five tackles per game and a rank of second overall across the AFL for pressure acts.

On Sunday afternoon in the SUNS’ opening NAB Challenge game at Moreton Bay Sports Complex in Burpengary, the nation witnessed exactly what Eade was talking about with Macpherson.

The rookie was fierce in his attack on the footy and on pressuring opponents, accumulating a game-high 10 tackles in his maiden appearance in Gold Coast colours.

READ: MacPherson thrilled to be learning off the best

Speaking to SUNS TV after the game, the Northern Knights product said his frenzied pressure was the cornerstone of his game.

“It’s what I pride myself on, just tackle pressure,” he said.

“As small forwards it’s what we’ve got to do in this competition, so it’s good to get a bit of recognition off the coach getting compared to Touk Miller which is good.”

In his post-match press conference, Eade singled out Macpherson as the ‘catalyst’ in the SUNS changing gears midway through the first quarter with an increase in pressure and winning the contested ball.

Macpherson didn’t look out of place for a second, kicking his team's opening goal late in the first quarter.

He revealed he adapted quickly to the increased speed at senior level.

“The speed of the game was quick at the start but I felt like I adapted quickly,” Macpherson said.

“Just needed to bring my pressure and that’s how I got myself into the game with the tackles and all that sort of manic pressure that I brought.”

READ: Pre-season report- 2015 Rookies

At the end of the day, Macpherson was just pleased to be part of a winning side in challenging conditions.

“I’d be spewing if we lost but it’s pretty hard conditions with the wind,” he said.

“You had to manage your kicks and stuff but the boys did well, I thought it was a great team effort.”

If MacPherson, the SUNS pick No.20 in the 2015 rookie draft, can replicate just some of what Miller was able to achieve last season, he'll finish 2016 as another recruiting masterstroke from Scott Clayton, Dom Ambrogio and the team to become one of the biggest steals of the draft.