The class of 2010 is the nucleus of the Gold Coast SUNS list, particularly when you include players of the same age acquired through zone access and underage selections.
Three players from this draft crop comprise half of the SUNS leadership group in the form of Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia and David Swallow, and all three are emerging high-end elite players in their positions.
Prestia and Swallow had their progress stunted this year due to long-term knee injuries, with the star midfield duo only managing eight and six games respectively.
In the pairs absence, Lynch elevated his game to another level, following up his breakout 2014 campaign with an even better season to join Swallow as one of only three players – along with Gary Ablett - to win the SUNS Club Champion.
Whilst the loss of Josh Caddy and then Harley Bennell is far from ideal given where they were taken in the 2010 national draft, the football and leadership quality already produced by Swallow, Prestia and Lynch almost overshadows the loss of the midfield pair.
And when you consider Steven May was taken at the same time as a Northern Territory access selection, the output from the cream of this crop has already been substantial and promises to reach elite levels for many years to come.
May and Lynch have emerged in the last two seasons as the future of the Gold Coast SUNS, forming formidable bookends at either end of the ground, as well emerging as strong leaders to shuttle the club in the right direction.
A horrific run with injury has limited lock down defender Seb Tape to just 37 games, including only 14 games in the last three seasons due to a series of issues following a knee reconstruction. The South Australian recently signed a one-year deal; with the club hopeful his luck will finally turn in his favour.
2010 National Draft
1. David Swallow
2. Harley Bennell (Traded to Fremantle end of 2015)
3. Sam Day
7. Josh Caddy (Traded to Geelong end of 2012)
9. Dion Prestia
10. Daniel Gorringe – Delisted end of 2015
11. Tom Lynch
13. Seb Tape
39. Jeremy Taylor – Delisted end of 2012
49. Jacob Gilbee – Delisted end of 2013
2011 Pre Season Draft
1. Nathan Ablett – Delisted end of 2011
2011 Rookie Draft
9. Joel Tippett – Delisted end of 2011
