One player that has stood up for the Gold Coast SUNS over the past 12 months is Tasmanian Jesse Lonergan.

In the back half of last year, the powerful midfielder was thrown in the deep end, thrust into a playing a key midfield role in a SUNS engine room missing four of its biggest stars.

Lonergan shed over five kilograms over the summer months in a bid to improve his fitness, and has improved his output this season, averaging 18 disposals and six tackles per game; from 15 and four in 2015.

He was one of few shining lights in last week’s loss to the Giants, accumulating 19 disposals at 95% efficiency to go with a game-high 11 tackles.

With Gary Ablett, Aaron Hall and Touk Miller all missing the SUNS’ round nine clash with Adelaide due to injury, the 21-year-old will be forced to step up once again with his centre bounce involvements likely to increase significantly.

Coach Rodney Eade believes Lonergan has improved, but still has massive upside.

“He’s improved,” Eade told reporters on Friday at Metricon Stadium.

“I don’t think he’s reached some heights that we’d hoped to be honest.

“He had 11 tackles last week and got his hands on the ball first a bit and probably the point I was making before (was) he just wasn’t clean at times.

“But certainly with his bigger body. He’s only played 20-odd games so it’s asking a lot but at the same token he’s going to have to stand up this week and be a key midfielder for us.”