Squeezed around a table at Broadbeach's Alto Cucina & Bar on a Monday morning in mid-March sat the Gold Coast SUNS leadership group, as well as coach Guy McKenna and football manager Marcus Ashcroft.

The players had just finished a recovery session in the pounding surf in front of the Kurrawa Surf Club. Their first game was just weeks away.

Despite their bright red polo shirts and the presence of the game's biggest name, Gary Ablett, the club's inaugural skipper, no one who passed them looked twice.

Perhaps it was an indication of their relative anonymity - a new fact of life Ablett admits he is enjoying.

Perhaps it was the fact their regular trips in the nearby surf either recovering or earning a bronze medallion (as every player on the GC SUNS list had done since arriving) had made them part of the furniture.

Perhaps it was the way they were conducting themselves: quietly, respecting their surroundings and understanding the constant need to make a good impression with the locals.

Most likely it was a combination of all three.

The group was a mixed bag. The big-name newcomers (Ablett, Campbell Brown, Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli, each with either a premiership, best and fairest award or All-Australia selection on their CVs) were there.

A revitalised Daniel Harris, the former North Melbourne player with 149 games behind him, was present, too. He joined the Gold Coast SUNS in 2010, toiling in the VFL and impressing everyone with his attitude and ability to win the football. Now he was a revitalised AFL player.

Sprinkled in between were the youngsters: last year's skipper and Southport local Marc Lock, Tasmanian Maverick Weller and a shy ruck prospect with a growing reputation, Zac Smith.

Smith admitted his nerves were growing as his AFL debut approached. "I think closer to the game, I will be shaking a bit," he said.

McKenna threw in the one-liners, drawing the AFL Record's attention to a polite prospect in the corner when asked what new names might impress football watchers. "The other one is Gary (Ablett)," he said after Seb Tape and Brandon Matera were mentioned. "We haven't seen him play yet. We hear he's really good. Apparently he's really exciting," McKenna said, amid much laughter.

Although bonding at training, over a hand or two of poker, through the odd game of golf, a movie or a quick surf had been part of summer, everyone knew a feeling of togetherness that only games can provide was still in front of them.

That's why their enthusiasm to take on Carlton this weekend was palpable.

The leadership group is realistic enough, however, to know the challenge confronting the club is huge.

The list is talented but young. Only 14 players are aged over 22. Only 12 players have previous AFL experience. Karmichael Hunt is a rugby league star, who made the switch to the AFL only last year. Ten players are expected to make their AFL debuts in the club's first game. Eight of the first 13 picks in last year's NAB AFL Draft went to the Gold Coast.

Now the spotlight is shining on the GC SUNS. They are about to enter the great unknown.

With the journey to the first game nearly complete, the AFL Record asked this group to muse on how they are placed to meet the challenges ahead.

When the Gold Coast SUNS came together as a list for the first time, what was the atmosphere like?
 

Campbell Brown: We all came together at different stages. Young guys arrived in the middle of October while some guys joined on November 1 and then there was the draft. It was a little bit staggered but then everyone came together really quickly. They are a very easy group to get along with, a great bunch of guys. We've been training really hard.

Guy McKenna: Were you (senior players) shocked or surprised as to how young the squad was compared to what you were used to at Geelong and Adelaide and Hawthorn?

Gary Ablett: Yeah, that's where it is different to any other club. Three-quarters of the group are 17- or 18-year-old boys. We were used to being at clubs that have a mixture of different aged players, which makes it easy in a sense, because you might only have three or four young blokes who come in. It is easy to grab hold of them and teach them what it takes to play in the AFL. But to have three-quarters of the group (so young), there is a lot for them to learn, a lot of meetings, a lot of extra stuff that you have got to go through, but it's exciting also.

What things did you do to help the group gel?

Nathan Bock: We spent three days at Mooloolaba at a training camp. We had an SAS guy who took the guys through some tough physical and mental challenges. It really showed guys can stand up in those situations. I think that brought the guys a lot closer together and brought out some leadership qualities in the guys no one was aware of.

McKenna: It was a tough camp. The SAS picks the best troops after food deprivation and sleep deprivation over 21 days. Of course, we know that if we send these blokes on a 21-day course, they are going to lose a lot of muscle mass. So all we can do is get back to the core and see what they do in a very short space of time with a lot of sleep deprivation.

The boys woke up just as they were nodding off at 9pm and then at midnight again and then the very last night there was a movie (Inglourious Basterds) at two o'clock in the morning, which went for three hours. The players were then told there was a recovery session and then the next half hour turned out to be a running session on the beach. We just kept poking them and prodding them and saw their ability to push through that and understand what it takes.

What messages have you leaders been trying to impart?
 

Brown: Just a little bit of knowledge. The first thing that probably struck me was just how professional the young guys actually were. Their training is first-class, so I did not need to do too much in that regard. It is more just knowledge of the game stuff. It's about trying to teach them things you have picked up over your career or journey; just little things they may not know about.

What have they taught you young players already?
 

Marc Lock: Just different ways of approaching the game, before training, after training, things like that.

Brown: I can tell you the thing Maverick taught me was how to sunbake (laughter).

What has he done with you Mav?
 

Weller: He got me roped into a modelling contest.

Brown: Killed me in it too - fifth hottest man on the Gold Coast, Maverick Weller, and (he was) dirty with that (result), too.

Have you noticed the lift in intensity going from the VFL to the NAB Cup?
 

Weller: Physically, it's thereabouts because it's men in both leagues, but just the speed and the little decisions you make and the consequences of those decisions. It's been good to have some games played in preparation for (this weekend).

You're the captain, Gary. What is your approach going to be?
 

Ablett: Just leading by example. I think it is important with young kids. I guess they just have to realise how hard it is to reach the top level and how much work has to go into it and how hard you have to train and how professional you have to be. I just want to lead by example and teach them that.

How do you go about that?
 

Ablett: You get out there and try to lead and train. It has been hard for me this year. I have had a few injuries and have not been able to be out there as much as I want to. But to be a successful team, you need 22 leaders out there every week and the more leaders we can get here among the young boys the better.

How do the youngsters here compare to the young stars at the clubs you played with previously?
 

Brown: Some guys get drafted and you can see straight away they are going to make it. There are certainly a lot of guys in that category. It's going to be exciting to watch these guys come into the competition and play their first game, first season and then develop into star players. That is going to be the most exciting thing.

How have you found the culture different from the club you came from?
 

Michael Rischitelli: I think you forget at various stages that the boys are pretty young. It is pretty important, not only this year but for a few years down the track, to remember that, (so) the way you go about approaching the boys is really important, even if at times you find something frustrating.

Brown: There has been a self-imposed ban on going out in Surfers Paradise. That is not something any of the older guys brought into the club. That was something that was here before we got here. For a group of young guys to bring that into the footy club says a lot about the culture of the place.

Have you done much away from the place to get to know each other better?
 

McKenna: We're very conscious of making sure the boys want to come to the footy club and there is an opportunity there to socialise. We want them there and we want them to learn and ply their trade with teammates. The boys catch up for Xbox, and poker and movie nights, but we would like them to come down to the football club and socialise and talk about how they could get better.

What has been the biggest challenge?
 

Daniel Harris: Reaching consistency every week will be a challenge for us. We have a lot of young bodies so we need to keep our older blokes on the track as much as we can and feed the young blokes through.

How do you expect to go?
 

McKenna: We go into the unknown. We have seen that our good is good enough, but just having that consistency, as 'Harro' said, is the challenge. We will only grow as the younger fellas develop around these senior players and the consistency gets longer in quarters and then longer in games. It could be frightening - it's the great unknown.

How is Karmichael Hunt adjusting? Have you been surprised by his progress?
 

Rischitelli: A bit surprised. He's a pretty mellow sort of kid and his work rate is pretty high. It is always good when players come into the competition and believe in themselves. Obviously, he has a big belief in himself. His presence out on the field is going to make a big difference for us.

I know you don't put any limit on it, but when do you think you will be in contention? Is it four or five years away?
 

Harris: Nah. Nah. Nah. Surely not.

Ablett: I think 'Bluey' (McKenna) answered that question before. It's the great unknown and we go in to win every game.

Brown: I don't think we will put a win-loss ratio on to it this year. It's a little bit irrelevant. It's about getting games into young guys and the way we go about playing and how competitive we are. Having said that, we will win games of footy if we go about it the right way.

Is the football you are capable of playing as good as what you have experienced at other clubs?
 

Brown: Yeah, absolutely it is. It's exciting, it's quick, it's pretty bold, but the hard bit is maintaining that for the whole four quarters. We have shown we can do that for half quarters or halves. The more game-time we get into the young guys, the more we will be able to maintain that intensity.

You said exciting and bold but obviously you need a defensive element. How do you progress the group so it meets the modern game's demands?
 

McKenna: The modern game says the good defensive sides are going to be an 80 per cent chance of winning a game of footy, so we've done a lot of work in the last two years with these kids, who have always been good, exciting talents, teaching them to play one-on-one footy. The lack of rotations means the zone is probably the best way of tactically staying in the game and also physically staying in the game, so there has been a crossover: 50-50 one-on-one and 50 per cent zone. The attacking message hasn't changed since these blokes were under-12: it's quick and fast down the middle. I think every coach has preached that.

Have you had to have more meetings to teach the youngsters some specifics?
 

McKenna: Not necessarily. Basically, our training program and model lends itself to doing enough technical work, some game-sense work and some long-term future and vision stuff.

Meetings have been held for specific reasons. The last thing you want to do is bury their heads in books. Our greatest challenge with the young kids is getting the chemistry among these boys, so the more time they can spend training - without cooking the kids - the better off they are going to be.

If 'Browny' and 'Bocky' are going to spend time down back, they are going to have younger defenders coming in and out of the side, so they are going to have to get to know them as quickly as they can.

Do the senior players feel an extra responsibility to lift your physical presence because there are so many younger players around?
 

Brown: No. Not really. We want to be known as a hard football side right from the start. A lot of the boys are Queensland boys, so they have got a bit of rugby background. They are pretty hard at it. In terms of taking extra burden, I won't be changing my game at all to help out the younger guys.

What would you like your trademark to be?
 

Marcus Ashcroft: As a team, we've got DIs (desire indicators). I guess the overriding message is that there is no real secret formula. The more time we spend away as a team training and getting together socially, the better.

Are you where you wanted to be at this stage?
 

McKenna: We have been talking about a few drills we need to do and how to get better at them. One of them is work rate and spreading from stoppages. Until these guys actually go out and do it and the other young guys can actually see how intense Bocky is down back and how physical Browny is and 'Rischa's' spread, they won't really understand the actual level they need to step to. They might understand it but then, physically, can they do it?

Alik Magin is already mentally switched on to it. Physically, he is now starting to show that, even though he is one of our skinniest players going around, he has bought into that. Some of our other players going around, who might look a bit bigger and stronger then him physically, can't do it yet, so there is that physical and mental maturation.

Maverick Weller and David Swallow understand it and have shown they can do it. I won't say they can do it 10 out of 10 times in an AFL game but, right now, it might be six out of 10 times. In time, once the second and third part of the season comes around, they will be doing it eight or nine times. That is the great unknown.

We understand they will learn it fairly quickly, but then physically being able to carry that out is the great unknown.

How do you be demanding yet show patience at the same time?
 

McKenna: We spoke about it just before. It's about being firm but fair.

What can you expect if you're a Gold Coast supporter this year?
 

McKenna: From first bounce to last bounce, they're going to have a crack; they're going to have a go.

FACTS ABOUT THE CLUB
 

The club's planning has been to have its playing list at its peak in four-to-five years.

The 'magic' year is 1992. It has 26 players on its list born in that year.

Followed a progressive storyboard, moving from the TAC Cup in 2009 to the VFL in 2010 to the AFL in 2011.

Had eight of the first 13 selections in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.

Had the capacity to develop its own recruiting strategy. The Suns chose only eight uncontracted players when they had the option of choosing up to 16.

If the Suns had taken 16 uncontracted players, the team would have had its best possible team in place in its opening game of 2011. Instead, it took a long-term, progressive view.

It was able to trade some players off its list - including Andrew Krakouer to Collingwood and Tendai Mzungu to Fremantle - for future draft picks.

Will cut eight players from its list at the end of 2011.

THE SUNS' LIST HAS ...
 

53 players (including rookies)

15 Queenslanders

3 premiership players (Gary and Nathan Ablett and Campbell Brown)

One Brownlow medallist (Gary Ablett)

Two No. 1 draft picks (Josh Fraser and David Swallow)

Three best and fairest winners (Gary Ablett, Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli)

Three All-Australians (Gary Ablett, Bock and Rischitlli)

HISTORY TELLS US THAT ...
 

The average age of West Coast's list in its first year was 24; the Adelaide Crows' was 25 and Port Adelaide's was 21. The average age of the Gold Coast list is 21 years and 58 days.

The Eagles won a premiership in their sixth season, the Crows in their seventh season and the Power in their eighth season.

The South Australian clubs were in the finals in their third seasons, while the Eagles did so in season two. Of course, Fremantle has been the least successful of the 'starting from scratch' clubs and did not play its first final until its ninth season in the competition.

WE KNOW THAT ...
 

About 70 per cent of players drafted play fewer than four games in their first season.

Each modern premiership team has roughly eight first-round draft picks and a couple of either father-son or zone selections. The 2006 West Coast team is the exception, with just six first-round draft picks in the line-up, while Port Adelaide in 2004 had six first-round picks and five zone selections. Gold Coast had nine first-round draft picks in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft and used eight of those selections. The Suns also have three first-round draft picks - Josh Fraser, Jared Brennan and Daniel Harris - as part of their experienced core, with Gary Ablett originally a father-son pick.

THE COACH
 

GUY McKENNA
The former West Coast champion has had two full seasons guiding Gold Coast through its embryonic stages, starting in the TAC Cup in 2009 and the VFL in 2010.

Initially, McKenna was appointed in August, 2008, to coach Gold Coast in the TAC Cup and his appointment as coach of the inaugural AFL side was announced on October 1, 2009.

The TAC Cup side performed admirably under his tutelage, reaching the 2009 finals, and last year he guided the VFL side into 10th place in the 14-team competition, winning five-and-a-half games.

THE TEAM
 

9 Gary Ablett
The marquee signing for the Suns, Ablett arrives as the No. 1 player in the competition and at the peak of his powers. Has won or been placed in the past three Brownlow Medal counts, has made the past four All-Australian sides and is a dual premiership player. Made a momentous decision to leave Geelong, but is looking forward to a fresh start. Has been appointed the Suns' inaugural captain and is coming off an interrupted preparation with a groin injury.

55 Nathan Ablett
The younger Ablett has not been seen at AFL level since he played alongside his brother and now Gold Coast star Gary in Geelong's 2007 premiership side. Moved to the Gold Coast to work and play local football, but has decided he's ready to re-commit and the Suns took him in last year's pre-season draft.

37 Harley Bennell
Rated one of the best young talents in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, Bennell is expected to have an immediate impact. The West Australian teenager won the Larke Medal as best player at the 2010 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Is super quick, highly skilled and gets in and out of contests with ease. Can play forward, on the ball or on a half-back flank.

44 Nathan Bock
Will be a key player in defence and will have the job on the opposition's best forward most weeks. The 2008 Adelaide best and fairest and All-Australian defender has had injury problems in the past two seasons, playing 14 games in 2009 and 13 last year. However, he is an attacking defender who can win his own ball and will play a crucial role in the back half. Will be vice-captain.

3 Jared Brennan
Tall, versatile running utility who will be an important link player for the Suns in their embryonic years. Was used mainly in defence in recent seasons by the Brisbane Lions and was a consistent performer, averaging almost 20 disposals and six marks in his 18 games in 2010.

30 Campbell Brown
Another experienced player who will provide the fledgling side with hardness and football smarts. A nine-year veteran and premiership player with Hawthorn, Brown's uncompromising attack on the ball will be appreciated by his younger teammates. Battled a knee injury and was suspended for two games last year, but should be reinvigorated after being named deputy vice-captain.

42 Josh Caddy
Tough inside midfielder who has a bit of Mark Ricciuto about the way he crashes through packs to get the ball. Was highly rated before the 2010 NAB AFL Draft after impressing at the AFL Draft Combine where he won the clean hands test and was in the top 10 in the beep test and 3km time trial. Averaged 24 disposals a game for Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and gained All-Australian selection.

27 Michael Coad
The former Sturt defender was one of the first players to be tied to the Suns after being selected in the 2010 Rookie Draft. A mature-aged 27-year-old, he had an excellent year with Sturt in 2009 and was playing good football with Gold Coast in the VFL in 2010 until he was badly injured in a game against the Northern Bullants.

39 Sam Day
Talented all-round athlete who could put his hand to just about any sport he tried. Has given up promising careers in baseball and basketball to concentrate on football and it's not hard to see why the Suns were happy to snare the 196cm forward. His athleticism is his greatest asset and he has the potential to become an elite AFL player.

19 Joseph Daye
Tall, running utility who has progressed from the Suns' TAC Cup line-up in 2009 to the VFL side in 2010 and is now on the club's AFL list. Athletic and is a long kick on his left foot.

23 Charlie Dixon
A tall key-position prospect from Cairns, Dixon was one of Gold Coast's first signings as a 17-year-old in 2008. Has come through the TAC Cup and VFL systems in the past two seasons and has impressed with his ability at ground level and his clean use of the ball.

15 Piers Flanagan
The former Geelong College student and ex-Geelong Falcon was signed as one of the Gold Coast's 17-year-old access selections and played good football for the Suns in the VFL in 2010. Can play on the wing or half-back and has a penetrating left-foot kick.

17 Josh Fraser
The former Collingwood ruckman was taken as one of the last uncontracted players by the Suns and will be looking to kick-start his AFL career. Was squeezed out by the addition of Darren Jolly last year and was overlooked for the Magpies' successful finals campaign. If he gets his body right, he will be a valuable addition.

49 Jacob Gillbee
Young forward from Tasmania who applies plenty of defensive pressure and is precise with his disposal, by hand or foot. Recorded a 15.1 beep test at the AFL Draft Combine, placing him fourth overall.

47 Daniel Gorringe
The first ruckman taken at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, Gorringe shapes as an outstanding prospect. The AIS-AFL Academy graduate is coming off a fine 2010 season, where he played most of the year in Norwood's seniors in the SANFL. Has great skills and is a natural ruckman - he averaged 21 hit-outs a game at the 2010 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

5 Jarrod Harbrow
The pick of the young uncontracted talent available to the Suns, the former Bulldog dasher is entering the prime of his career. Spent four seasons with the Bulldogs and has matured into a brilliant running player in the past two years. Played 22 of a possible 25 games in 2010, missing three through illness and injury, and averaged 22 disposals a game.

21 Daniel Harris
The experienced former Kangaroo was the first player selected of the five available to the Suns in the 2010 Rookie Draft. Showed at VFL level last year he is still as competitive as ever and was second in the best and fairest. Known for his clearance work, he will be a good foil for fellow midfielders such as Gary Ablett. Is ready for another chance at this level.

40 Tom Hickey
Young ruckman who has an interesting background, having played state volleyball for Queensland and his father Mick was a top-level rugby league player in Brisbane. A latecomer to Australian Football, Hickey is a promising tap ruckman who can also move forward.

29 Taylor Hine
The disciplined young defender from the Calder Cannons likes to rebound from defence and had some excellent games in the VFL in 2010. Is working hard on his use of the ball and, after juggling school and football last season.

7 Karmichael Hunt
The high-profile rugby league convert will be one of the most fascinating additions to the AFL landscape in 2010. Signed with the Suns in July, 2009, before finishing his NRL commitments with the Brisbane Broncos and heading to France to play rugby union. Returned to Australia in May last year and played eight games in the VFL, starting as a forward before settling into defence. While he is a work in progress, Hunt played Australian Football as a schoolboy in Queensland and was identified as an elite junior. Has worked closely with Gold Coast's coaching staff on all aspects of his play and will generate excitement when he plays his first AFL game.

34 Jack Hutchins
Another young player who has reaped the benefits of a season in the Gold Coast system after being signed as a 17-year-old from the Sandringham Dragons. Showed promise at centre half-back and has a real hunger to win the ball. A former top-class swimmer, he is developing his strength for football at the highest level.

36 Sam Iles
Originally from Tasmania, Iles is a midfield and defensive option for the Suns and boasts AFL experience with Collingwood. After being delisted by the Magpies at the end of 2008, he played a season with the Box Hill Hawks in 2009, where he came third in the Liston Trophy. Was selected by Gold Coast in the 2010 Rookie Draft and had an outstanding year, winning the club's best and fairest.

13 Hayden Jolly
The young South Australian midfielder was signed as one of the Suns' 17-year-olds in 2009 and made 14 appearances in the VFL last year. A tough inside player, he is a good decision-maker and uses the ball well. Played top-level volleyball and is able to use the reflexes required for that sport to great effect.

53 Alex Keath
Remains on the Suns' list even though he has committed to cricket. Has a Cricket Victoria contract. The Suns are hopeful he might change his mind and have retained him on their list.

14 Nathan Krakouer
One of the first uncontracted players signed by the Suns, the former Port Adelaide running defender will be a valuable acquisition. Has great pace and skills coming out of defence and will complement the bigger bodies of players such as Nathan Bock and Campbell Brown.

33 Rex Liddy
After struggling up forward in the first half of 2010 for the Suns' VFL side, Liddy was a revelation playing off the half-back flank in the second half of the season. The strong, bullocking style and penetrating delivery of the Cairns youngster impressed Gold Coast's coaching staff.

1 Marc Lock
Competitive and versatile midfielder, who has shown great leadership qualities in his two seasons with the Suns. Captained the TAC Cup side in 2009 (he also won the best and fairest) and, despite his tender years, was appointed captain of the VFL side in 2010.

46 Tom Lynch
Surged to prominence in 2010 after impressing for the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup and Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A late starter to the game, the tall forward has a big motor and is good on both sides of his body. Finished third in the Stingrays' best and fairest despite missing several games because of injury.

32 Brandon Matera
The son of former West Coast and Fitzroy small man Wally Matera is expected to be a regular in Gold Coast's inaugural season. An in-and-under small forward and occasional midfielder, Matera is an excellent left-foot kick and a great finisher. Kicked 22 goals in 17 games in the VFL last year and was regularly among the Suns' best players. An AIS-AFL Academy graduate, he starred for Western Australia at under-16 and under-18 level and was selected in the All-Australian team in 2009.

45 Steven May
The talented Northern Territory key-position prospect can play forward or back and is a good size. A left-footer, he completed his final school year at Melbourne Grammar before joining the Suns last November. Had been earmarked for some time as one of the best young players in the NT and won All-Australian selection after impressive performances at the 2010 under-18 championships.

18 Trent McKenzie
Highly skilled winger/half-back who can be used as a release player. Kicks the ball long distances with ease on his left foot. Originally from the Western Jets, he is quick off the mark and has a good leap. Played 16 games at VFL level last year.

10 Lewis Moss
Athletic young key-position player from Cairns, who turned his back on soccer in a bid to make the grade at AFL level. A tall left-footer, he will be a project player, but the 2008 AIS-AFL Academy graduate is a good decision-maker.

22 Tom Nicholls
Lean young ruckman of Fijian heritage and is a long-term development project. Originally from Yarrawonga in country Victoria, he attended St Kevin's College in Melbourne and played TAC Cup football for the Sandringham Dragons.

43 Liam Patrick
High-leaping forward from the small Lajamanu community, 900km south of Darwin. His background is similar to his cousin, Melbourne's Liam Jurrah. The 22-year-old has also displayed freakish talent and is sure to become a crowd favourite. Showed his commitment by making the long trip to Darwin in 2009 to play for NTFL club Wanderers.

41 Dion Prestia
This star young midfielder is a tireless worker and has a large appetite for winning the contested ball. Averaged 28 disposals a game for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup last year and was dynamic in the Grand Final, collecting 36 possessions, eight clearances and seven hard-ball gets. Finished in the top two in the agility run and the top five in the repeat sprints at the AFL Draft Combine.

35 Michael Rischitelli
One of the most consistent and durable midfielders in the AFL, Rischitelli was another recruiting coup for the Suns in their first year. Coming off his best season when he won the Brisbane Lions' best and fairest, Rischitelli will be a vital player for the AFL's newest club. Has missed just one game in the past four seasons and averaged 24 disposals a game in 2010, leading the Lions in kicks, handballs, marks and loose-ball gets.

8 Luke Russell
The young Tasmanian is a superb kick, has good speed and likes to take a big mark. He was part of the 2008 AIS-AFL Academy intake and played senior football with the Burnie Dockers in the NTFL as a 16-year-old. Was also a standout junior basketballer, but cut short those aspirations to concentrate on football.

26 Matt Shaw
The former Dandenong Stingray was signed by the Suns in 2009 and is a speedy winger/half-forward. Is a good mark overhead and shows great courage, even though he is on the light side. He played 15 games in the VFL in 2010 and impressed with his first and second efforts.

2 Zac Smith
One of the most promising players on the Suns' list, the Rockhampton giant is set to play in the ruck alongside Josh Fraser. Described as an athletic "freak", the 206cm youngster has developed his endurance and game-sense to the point where he is ready to play AFL football.

12 Jack Stanlake
A project player, Stanlake will develop as he gains more bulk, but he has impressed with his finishing ability. Best suited to a half-forward flank, he could move to a key position when he builds up. Played five games in the VFL in 2010. His father Warren played one game for Footscray in 1981.

25 Danny Stanley
Found it hard to break into the Collingwood line-up and after being delisted by the Magpies at the end of 2009, the Suns selected him in the 2010 Rookie Draft. An inside player with a mature body, Stanley often displayed excellent form in the VFL with the Magpies and that was evident again when he played for the Suns in 2010.

24 David Swallow
The first player taken in last year's NAB AFL Draft, Swallow will hit the ground running for the Suns after coming off an ideal preparation for AFL football. Was identified as a top-three selection in 2009, meaning he could play in the VFL in 2010 - and play he did. Even though he didn't turn 18 until last November, he finished fourth in the Liston Trophy for the VFL's best and fairest player. In 2009, he won the Larke Medal as a 16-year-old at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Brother of North Melbourne star Andrew Swallow.

48 Seb Tape
This impressive young defender from Glenelg captained South Australia at the 2010 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and tested well at the AFL Draft Combine. Finished in the top 10 in the repeat sprints and standing vertical jump. Has great balance and closing speed and is cool under pressure.

50 Jeremy Taylor
Tall, willing young defender who came on in leaps and bounds in 2010. Is a good athlete, has great endurance and excellent skills. The former Geelong Falcon will be given plenty of time to develop, but is sidelined for the moment with a groin injury.

16 Rory Thompson
Former Southport junior and a Queensland representative at the NAB AFL Under-16 and Under-18 Championships. Strongly built young ruckman who will benefit from several appearances at VFL level with the Suns in 2010.

20 Josh Toy
Young defender who is an excellent kick, a fine reader of the play and makes good decisions. Committed to the Suns as a 17-year-old in 2009 and showed strong form in limited VFL appearances last season due to final-year school commitments in Melbourne. Is an AIS-AFL Academy graduate and represented Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-16 and Under-18 Championships.

4 Maverick Weller
Strong, competitive midfielder from Tasmania who won the Alan McLean Medal as best player at the 2008 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. Made his senior debut with Burnie Dockers in the NTFL as a 15-year-old in 2007 and played in the 2008 Grand Final with Burnie in his second year of senior football.

38 Joel Wilkinson
The athletic midfielder was a standout at last year's AFL Draft Combine, winning the 20m sprint (in record time) and the repeat sprints test. He also finished in the top 10 in the beep test, 3km time trial, vertical running jump and clean hands test. The Nigerian-born youngster has been praised for his attention to detail and his commitment to his biomedical studies. Will miss the first month with a knee injury.

28 Roland Ah Chee
A former standout junior tennis player, Ah Chee is a hard-running and versatile defender. Played VFL football in 2010.

51 Jake Crawford
Tall defender who played for the Suns' VFL side in 2010. Takes a great mark, has quick hands and a big motor.

6 Alik Magin
The young goalsneak booted 17 goals in 14 games for the Suns in the VFL last year and has built up significantly over the pre-season.

31 Jack Stanley
The former Queensland under-18 representative was one of the first young locals to sign with the Suns. He is a quick, medium-size defender who has a strong work ethic.

52 Joel Tippett
The versatile key-position prospect has had a mixed entry to the game at this level. He concentrated mainly on basketball as a junior and was twice selected by the Brisbane Lions as a rookie. The brother of Adelaide's Kurt, he battled a back injury in 2010, but is ready to play in 2011.