SIX YEARS in the making, the QClash rivalry is now genuine and Gold Coast co-captain Steven May is happy to wear the villain's tag.

May has been at the centre of most skirmishes against the Brisbane Lions and brought the rivalry to boiling point early last season with his crude high bump on Stefan Martin.

The shot earned him a five-week suspension, which came 12 months after he copped a three-match ban for a high bump on then Lions skipper Tom Rockliff.

Ahead of Saturday's season opener at Metricon Stadium, May agreed the Queensland foes had manufactured their conflict in the early days, but no more.

When asked if it was a genuine rivalry, May – clearly knowing the question was coming – grinned and asked "are you referring to me?" before continuing his answer.

"Maybe it was a little bit manufactured early on and you expect that with a new franchise joining," he said.

"Through various circumstances, the rivalry has lifted and I think personally it's great for the code.

"I'm a little bit of a villain now, but luckily we're playing at Metricon.

"The last few years it's definitely built and it's building into a bit of a tradition."

Adding spice to Saturday's game will be the Suns debut of former Lion Pearce Hanley.

Hanley is the first player to switch clubs since the inaugural intake of Suns included Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli.

May said Hanley used to be an agitator when in opposition colours and was now glad they were teammates.

"We understand there's a rivalry, (co-captain) Tom (Lynch) and myself get targeted a little bit and we target a couple of their key players.

"You've got to mature and do your job because the team that has the last laugh is the one who wins."

It will be the first time May and Lynch have led the team as official club captains, and May said he would have no trouble addressing former skipper Gary Ablett if necessary.

"If he's out of line, he would expect that and I hope he takes it the right way because it is a bit different talking to such a legend of the game," May said.

"We don't get embarrassed talking to him like that because the genuine, humble guy he is, he's very coachable, he likes to teach us and he's a great player to have around here.

"He's helping Tom and I with the transition."