THE DRIVER of so much of Gold Coast's cultural change last year, Michael Rischitelli, says it simply got to a stage where enough was enough.

The Suns' veteran has a quiet public demeanour, but behind closed doors he carries a strong voice.

That was never more evident than during a tumultuous 2015 when he was a leader of the club's push for improved standards on and off the field.

Rischitelli doesn't take credit for anything – that's not his style – but the former Brisbane Lion spoke strongly and spoke often to his teammates about the need for change.

He'd seen enough misdemeanours and was very direct with coach Rodney Eade onthe areas he thought needed addressing.

Speaking to AFL.com.au in the build-up to his 200th match on Saturday, Rischitelli said it was something that had been brewing for a while.

"Not being in a state that's heavily scrutinised by media, and for whatever reason, last year was the time I decided I'd had enough," Rischitelli said.

"There probably weren't enough guys to steer the ship, and enough was enough.

"You get to a point when you keep following or you can do something about it.

"I'm not really one to say a lot away from the club.

"I like to be pretty quiet, but when it's business, she's on."

With captain Gary Ablett sidelined through injury, Rischitelli also shouldered a lot of the public burden through a stretch when Gold Coast suspended its players on multiple occasions for poor off-field discipline.

Eade has acknowledged the contribution from Rischitelli and said despite the Suns' finishing 16th, it was a year the club needed to have.

Now entering his 13th season, Rischitelli admitted to some "dark times" during 2012 and 2013 when injury almost brought a premature end to his career.

After making his only finals appearance with the Lions in 2009, the reliable midfielder said he hoped to return to September action again, but would not solely judge his success as a player on that criterion.

"If I finished this year I'd be pretty content with the work I've done and that the place is in good stead," he said.

"I'd be happy to see the guys continue on pushing the club where it needs to be.

"It's definitely in a better spot that's for sure."

A longer version of this article will appear in this week's AFL Record, available at all grounds