Whilst the Gold Coast SUNS may have the second youngest list in the competition, the quality of the blossoming crop of young stars has the potential to buck the latest trend in the game.

The last five AFL premierships have been won by teams in the top five for age – highlighting the importance of experience in winning the ultimate prize.

However, with a maiden finals series firmly in the clubs 2015 sights and the club’s experience indicators continuing to increase towards the magical ‘premiership bracket’, Rodney Eade’s side will be aiming for that elusive first premiership in the next handful of seasons.

According to new data released by Champion Data, Fremantle has the oldest list in the AFL at 25.40, ahead of North Melbourne at 25.35, Essendon at 24.96 and reigning premier Hawthorn at 24.84. The youngest club in the competition, the GWS Giants, has an average list age of 22.42, ahead of only the SUNS where the average age in the Metricon Stadium rooms is 22.90.

The off-season acquisitions of All-Australian defender Nick Malceski (176 games) and the rookie listing of Andrew Raines (123 games) has helped bolster Gold Coast’s age profile.

Since the club’s inception to the AFL in 2011, former Western Bulldog Jarrod Harbrow has played the most games for the SUNS with 78 appearances. Gary Ablett and Trent McKenzie have 76 games next to their names, while Danny Stanley has represented the club on 75 occasions.

A closer look at the SUNS’ list reveals Victoria’s dominance of the playing group with 18 members of the list hailing from football’s heartland. Nine players originate from Queensland, Western Australia has seven representatives, while South Australia has six. Tasmania has five players on the list from the Apple Isle, with the Northern Territory having only the one.