Finals in 2023 is the target for the Gold Coast SUNS and they’ve started the long path to September on the front foot with an impressive showing in the 2km time trial to kick off pre-season.

Midfielder Noah Anderson was one of numerous players to record persona best times, finishing second among the group – a group that Anderson is confident has what it takes to feature in September action.

“We haven’t spoken about it yet this year having only started back today, but that’ll be the goal and the boys will have been thinking about that during the off-season,” Anderson said.

“We have confidence that this group can play finals. The focus on the process is what gets us there and has been the predecessor of our results.

“That (finals) is the aim this year and it starts today which is exciting.”

On Day 1 for the first to fourth year players, plenty of the SUNS older brigade were on hand for the session, including 2022 co-captains Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller.

Now heading into his fourth season at the SUNS with 58 AFL games already under his belt, Anderson says there’s a great balance between youth and experience within the squad.

“It shows how committed they are to helping the younger core and how close we are as a group. They just enjoy coming in training, it raises the level of training having them around too,” Anderson said.

“It feels like we have a slightly more mature base. It’s a young, exciting group but we’ve got games into players like me, so it feels like we know the level, we know how to play.

“There’s lots of improvement but it fills you with a bit of confidence.”

After missing the entire 2022 campaign, the sight of Ben King on track for this morning’s time trial will warm the hearts of SUNS fans, with the likes of Wil Powell and Connor Budarick also getting miles in the legs across the morning.

“They’re ripping boys as well. Their connection to the club is still as strong as ever but it’s great to see them getting involved on the track too.”