The Gold Coast SUNS return to home soil this weekend for an anticipated clash with the Box Hill Hawks, following their third scheduled bye of the season.

With the majority of the squad in Darwin for the double-header, Development Coach Hugh Greenwood has taken the opportunity to work one-on-one with the smaller group remaining on the Coast this week.

“It’s been a good opportunity to focus on what those guys need in terms of their craft. We've been able to nail in some craft work, we've also been able to freshen them up, and we've done some team bonding as well,” Greenwood said.

“It's often difficult with a small group to get the most out of it - it's almost like an attitude thing, how you want to attack it - but the boys have been really, really good. 

“A lot of them are first-year guys that are getting into the grind of AFL life, so it’s important to reiterate to them that they're not far away, and it's an opportunity for them to get better.”

With a delayed start to the season and scheduled byes during the AFL Gather Round as well as VFL Rounds 7 and 12, Greenwood empathised with the repercussions the prospects face.

“As a team, of course it's been difficult to build synergy, but I feel for the players more so,” the dual player-coach said.

“The guys at VFL level are trying to press their case for AFL selection, and trying to get into game shape but they haven't played more than three games in a row, so, it's been interrupted for a lot of them.

“We reflected as a group and although the record’s 3-2, we've won 15 out of 20 quarters, so we're actually playing some good footy, but our inconsistency has been a trend, and I think that almost correlates to how our season's been.

“A lot of clubs face the same thing, but the attitude and effort of our players - despite interruptions, injuries and boys flying in and out - has been first class, so hopefully we can continue to push VFL guys up for AFL when their time comes.”

With the final squad still to be confirmed, the SUNS are roaring to return to People First Stadium this Saturday.

“We could be a little bit light on, but we've got some really good top ups from local QAFL and Academy guys that have come along, and arguably they're the most important,” Greenwood said.

“They do a really good job of making sure that we can not only field a side, but perform well above the level.

“They play such an important role for us and they come in and execute, so we'll call on those guys when we need to.”

The VFL kicks off at 11:05 am this Saturday at People First Stadium. Stream all the action via the official VFL & AFL apps and websites.