Will 2024 be the year the Suns finally break into the finals frame?
New coach Damien Hardwick flagged that 80 per cent of the Gold Coast's first premiership side is already listed at the club, with some exciting draft additions pushing that percentage closer to 90.
The Suns were right in the finals mix during the second half of the season before falling short, with the addition of Hardwick and the continued development of their young core set to have September in the Queensland club's sights.
Gold Coast wasn't active in adding to their list through the trade and free agency space, instead placing a focus on attaining a quartet of Academy kids through the draft.
With a flurry of first-round picks - both new and old - on their list, the Suns are looking to soar into the top half of the competition under their new coach.
Here's how we see the Suns' best 23-man side taking shape in 2024...
BEST 23s: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG
2. Midfielders
Gold Coast's leading midfield quartet is good enough to rival any other in the AFL, with co-captain Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller set to lead the club's centre planning alongside star pair Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
Injuries have prevented all four from getting a consistent run, and 2024 looms as the season where Miller's defensive edge can complement Rowell and Anderson's rise, with the latter placed among the game's best onballers in 2023.
Witts is an unheralded ruck compared to his league counterparts and will provide silver service to his circling midfield group.
Bailey Humphrey enters his second season with the Suns next year after a promising debut campaign in Queensland, with the Moe junior set to continue to feature at centre bounces.
Sam Flanders showed his value in the second half of the 2023 season and added nice depth to the midfield, while veterans Brandon Ellis, David Swallow and Lachie Weller can offer some run through the middle.
Brayden Fiorini, Alex Davies and Jake Rogers could all be in the Round 1 conversation, while fringe ruck pair Ned Moyle and Ethan Read will be required to bide their time.
