The Gold Coast SUNS can use Saturday’s win over top four side Geelong as a springboard for some vital upcoming contests, according to in-form defender Steven May.

The 22-year-old had the better of his match-up with Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins, who kicked three goals but was kept to just eight touches and three marks – said he believed the victory would give the young side a massive confidence boost moving forward.

“That was unbelievable, knocking off the Catters,” May told SUNS TV.

“Geelong are a top four side and have been for a long time now.

“I think (the win) was a good reward for effort because we’ve shown we can match it with the good sides, it just needs to be a four-quarter effort.

The GC SUNS are in the midst of their toughest part of the home and away season. After losing three straight, the team desperately needed that win over the Cats, with huge games to come against AFL powerhouses Hawthorn and Collingwood.

May’s spoiling in his battle with Hawkins was a feature, as it has been all season. He finished with 12 one-percenters to further stretch his lead in that category across the competition.

The Northern Territorian deferred praise to teammates further up the field, though, with the forward line doing a particularly solid job of keeping the ball locked inside the SUNS’ attacking 50 throughout the game.

May could well square off with Jarryd Roughead and Travis Cloke over the next fortnight, and man mountain Hawkins provided the perfect preparation.

“You can’t move him (Hawkins),” he said.

“He still kicked a couple, but that’s better than him kicking a massive bag.

“I think, again, credit to the mids and forwards.

“(Their pressure caused) poor delivery from their mids and gave me a chance to get a few spoils.”