Chances are if the Gold Coast SUNS aren’t training, you will find the players Nathan Bock and Matt Shaw paddling out at one of the coast’s many point or beach breaks, the pair soaking up the sun and surf whenever their training schedule permits.

This morning to herald the start of the Breaka Pro surf contest at Burleigh Heads, the pair kick started a perfect Gold Coast day with a visit to the contest site prior to the start of the days training sessions.

“It was always an enticing attraction, the lifestyle and the weather up here and as you can see this morning it’s just another perfect day on the Gold Coast.”

It seems the change in weather isn’t the only thing exciting the SUNS star as the team prepares for the NAB Cup with a move forward being mooted for the man who has been the list’s rock in defence.

“There could be potential to go up forward from time to time throughout the year, I’ve been doing a little bit of work up in the forward line this preseason and I went forward a couple of times last year and it could be the case again this year.”

While he’s made a name for himself as a key defender throughout his career, however the South Australian product is no stranger to playing forward.

“I spent a bit of time as a junior and also throughout my AFL years playing forward so it’s something that I am pretty familiar with and you know wherever I am needed out on the park, well I am happy to play there.”

While Bock is all but assured a place in the starting side, rookie Matt Shaw is still a keen student of the game looking to establish himself as a regular first team player.

The SUNS utility is looking to build on the fifteen AFL appearances he made in 2011.

“There is so much pressure on winning and so many players that you have to study up on and I’m just taking it one week at a time.”

Shaw proved one of the team’s leading performers during their high altitude camp in Arizona and is looking forward to the challenges the new season will bring.