If it wasn't so serious, one of the final plays of Gold Coast SUNS debut season could have almost been comical - unless you're David Swallow.

In round 24 against Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium, lightning quick wingman Harley Bennell kicked one of the goals of the season when he took an intercept mark 80m from goal, played on and took three bounces while outsprinting two Hawks to convert.

The backdrop to the moment of brilliance was fellow Western Australian Swallow chasing at top pace to support.

While Bennell celebrated his goal, Swallow was crumpled on the ground behind him having torn his hamstring.

It was a sad way to end a stellar first season that saw the No.1 pick in the 2010 NAB AFL National Draft play 21 games and cement himself as one of the rising midfield stars of the game.

The injury cruelled Swallow's off-season and cut into his early pre-season training.

Swallow though, is still able to joke about the pursuit of Bennell.

"I'm still chasing him out there today," Swallow laughed.

The 19-year-old was doing rehabilitation running - in other words jogging - for the first month of pre-season but has hit top gear in the past month.

Despite the setback he said he was far more advanced than he was 12 months ago.

"It hindered my off-season a bit, I just had to rest it up as much as I could and get it right for this pre-season," he said.

"Compared to last year I'm 50 per cent fitter because I'd had the hip operation going into last pre-season and that slowed me down. To be running and in full training before Christmas was definitely a good thing for me."

After his impressive first-up season, Swallow said he was intent on lifting his game to another level.

"I want to improve on … kicking, goal-kicking and as a player my leadership ability on and off the field," he said.

David Swallow will join his GC SUNS teammates on Saturday January 14, for an open beach training session between 9am and 12noon at Surfers Paradies.