There have been some fresh faces on the training track at Metricon Stadium recently, with five SUNS Academy members joining the team for pre-season training through to the end of January.

Brayden Crossley, Sam Davidson, Jacob Dawson, Brodie Foster and Harry Simington will test their wares against the elite athletes of the Gold Coast SUNS, with a focus on educating them on the standards and professionalism required at AFL level.

Academy product Jesse Joyce was in their position a couple of years ago and has looked to take the teenagers under his wing and provide advice wherever possible on the training track.

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“I obviously try to. I went to school with most of them, they were a couple of grades below,” Joyce told SUNS TV.

“I get along with them all really well but they’ve been doing really well. I think they’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to train with us and they’ve learned a lot from it and hopefully it puts them in good stead for their draft year.”

There are now four SUNS Academy graduates on the playing list after Jack Bowes (pick No. 10), Brad Scheer (pick No. 67) and Max Spencer (rookie draft) joined Joyce at Metricon Stadium in this year’s draft period.

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The Palm-Beach Currumbin junior admits the trio have surprised him on the training track at how quickly they’ve adapted.

“They’ve actually been quite surprising at training- they’re right up there with the standard,” Joyce said.

“Spence’ has been doing really well. ‘Scheery’ and ‘Bowesy’ have taken the scene pretty well and I’m looking forward to see where they end up around the middle of the season and see what they can do this year.”