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
Hardwick's rearguard will be the area that needs the biggest lift if the Suns want to rise into the top eight, with a number of key cogs looking to play their best football in 2024.
Sam Collins will again be the focal point in Gold Coast's defence, while interceptor Charlie Ballard could again be in the All-Australian conversation after a breakout 2023 season.
Top 2021 draft selection Mac Andrew is continuing to develop nicely and will assist Ballard and Collins against key position forwards, while the reliable Wil Powell goes from strength to strength as a medium-sized backman.
Connor Budarick played two games this year after returning from an ACL injury and should assume a role in the back seven with a full pre-season under his belt.
Darcy Macpherson was a constant down back for the Suns this year after being placed on the periphery in years gone by.
Joel Jeffrey, Caleb Graham, Ben Long, Rory Atkins and Will Graham will look to break into the starting side as depth options for Hardwick to consider.
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.
Spearhead pair Ben King and Jack Lukosius combined for almost 80 goals this year and look to only be getting better, with 2024 potentially seeing the Suns duo become one of the most lethal attacking partnerships in the game.
Veteran Levi Casboult could be the third tall option in the front third, however, rookie Jed Walter is already built for the elite level and could be deployed against Richmond in the Suns' opening game.
Malcolm Rosas put his case forward this year to be Izak Rankine's replacement while hard-nut Nick Holman and half-forward Ben Ainsworth provide pressure and scoreboard impact in the front half.
Bailey Humphrey will rotate through the forward line like he did this year, while David Swallow will be afforded the chance to rest in attack.
The Suns will be hoping to see new strides taken by Hewago Oea, Tom Berry and Jy Farrar across the course of the pre-season to add some selection pressure to their first-string group.
FB: Wil Powell, Sam Collins, Mac Andrew
HB: Connor Budarick, Charlie Ballard, Darcy Macpherson
C: Lachie Weller, Touk Miller, Brandon Ellis
HF: Bailey Humphrey, Jack Lukosius, Ben Ainsworth
FF: Malcolm Rosas, Ben King, Nick Holman
FO: Jarrod Witts, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell
I/C: Sam Flanders, Jed Walter, David Swallow, Rory Atkins
SUB: Ben Long
Also in the mix: Brayden Fiorini, Jake Rogers, Ned Moyle, Will Graham, Joel Jeffrey, Levi Casboult, Alex Davies