The youthful energy of the AFL's 17th team has been one of the league's genuine highlights this season.

David Swallow's movement in heavy traffic, Liam Patrick's uncanny goal sense and Zac Smith's athleticism are all great advertisements for the Gold Coast SUNS, but none quite command the attention of a perfectly-executed Trent McKenzie drop punt.

McKenzie's kicking has been widely praised throughout the football community, and some experts have already dubbed him the best kick in the game.

The 19-year-old is well aware his disposal by foot is his most valuable asset, but he's determined to further round out his game.

"I suppose it has come naturally. It has been one of my strengths in my junior career. I had to work on it as well, a lot of practice goes into my kicking," McKenzie said.

"I'm still working on my aerobic capacity, just running out games. I'm improving my fitness every week."

McKenzie earned the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round 17 for his efforts in the GC SUNS win over Richmond last Saturday.

He had 21 disposals in the victory to be the fourth Gold Coast SUNS player to be nominated after Brandon Matera (round five), Smith (round seven) and Swallow (round 14).

McKenzie said he was happy with his own performance but never expected it would be enough to get him nominated for the Rising Star award.

"It wasn't my best game but it wasn't my worst game. I'm just happy with the win," he said.

"It's been good to get the opportunity, and to play 13 or 14 games of AFL is great. I'm happy where I am at the moment."

McKenzie might have felt the need to play catch-up as Matera and Swallow weren't just teammates but also shared a house until Swallow moved out two weeks ago.

"I think I've adjusted pretty well. I've been living with Brandon and Dave and we all get along really well. It's a lot easier when you're missing friends and family back home," he said.

The three arrived at the club in 2010. McKenzie and Matera were taken among Gold Coast SUNS initial batch of 17-year-olds, while Swallow was always going to be the No. 1 draft pick at the 2010 draft.

"I reckon it's helped even more than getting drafted this year. I've had that extra year to get settled in and enjoy the sun up here in the winter which is good," he said.

"I don't mind getting to the beach every now and then. I go there three or four times a week anyway for recovery. I'm not much of a surfer though."

Saturday's win was the GC SUNS third of the season and elevated them above Port Adelaide on the AFL ladder.

McKenzie said he was determined for the GC SUNS to stay ahead of the Power.

"That'd be very nice. If we can win a few more games hopefully we can keep off the bottom of the ladder and not win the wooden spoon," he said.

"I suppose we came into the season wanting to win a few more games than we have at the moment, but I didn't really know what to expect."