By Michael Whiting 

Last season Gold Coast SUNS Piers Flanagan had to endure the frustration of watching 34 teammates make their AFL debut while he underwent hip surgery.

It was the second time in three seasons the 19-year-old former Geelong Falcon had both hips operated on and it was not good timing, as the GC SUNS debuted almost every player on their list.

But Flanagan is fighting back, and despite being on a modified running program, was a star during last month's two-week altitude camp in Arizona.

He expects to be in full training by Christmas and is hopeful of being available for Gold Coast SUNS first NAB Cup matches against Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions on February 25.

Flanagan admitted 2011 was emotionally tough as he sat on the sidelines, but it had served to motivate him for next year.

"It was a little frustrating to miss the first year of AFL, but it was also exciting for them to get out there and see the new boys getting a run each week," Flanagan said.

"I'll bide my time and hopefully get a run next year.

"It definitely does motivate you though. I'm already behind some boys by up to 20 games so it definitely drives you more to want to get out of the rehab group and join the main group."

The half-back is no stranger to recovering from the injury after having similar surgery when he first came to the GC SUNS late in 2009 as a 17-year-old.

Flanagan said there were a few complications from that surgery that never allowed him to fully recover.

"It was more groin pain (this time), I just didn't have much range of motion in my hips," he said.

"It hurt to change direction or kicking or standing still and then trying to sprint, I just couldn't get anywhere near the speed I used to have before I had the problem."

Despite the setbacks, he said the club and his teammates - particularly housemates David Swallow, Luke Russell and Charlie Dixon - had been a terrific help.

Like so many other GC SUNS, Flanagan was glowing in his praise of the training in Arizona, saying it had strengthened them mentally as much as physically.

"We did a survey after to ask the boys how it went and a lot said they were mentally stronger after the trip. Just doing a lot of different things you can't do here in Australia, like the hikes and things, that aren't so much physically gruelling but more mentally," he said.

"We had a rule, no iPods in on the walk, so we had to keep the chat up a bit."

One place there was plenty of chat was on the return leg to Australia, when Flanagan, Russell and Dion Prestia were upgraded to business class tickets for their contribution and performance on the trip.

"The boys weren't that happy about it at all, Michael Rischitelli in particular, he struggled with it a little bit," Flanagan laughed. "Bocky wanted to buy my ticket at one stage but he wouldn't match my price."

After such a difficult run, it could just be the first sign that Flanagan's luck is about to turn.