No more excuses.

That is the mantra the playing group is echoing as it prepares for what promises to be a defining season in the short history of the Gold Coast SUNS. 

The training wheels are off, and the young and under-developed boys that first arrived through the club’s inaugural 2010 draft class are now looking more like men capable of competing in the AFL. 

On the training field they have been pushed to absolute breaking point, rising to new high performance levels, and there is an expectation they can match opponents physically across four quarters of football. 

Externally, on-field expectations of the club have been raised, and captain Gary Ablett says the playing group isn’t going to shy away from them. 

“We’re a young side, but they’ve had three or four years now and there’s no more excuses,” he said.

“These boys have played 40, 50 games and we’ve just got to get out there and be more consistent week-to-week, which we think we can do.”

While he would have liked more game time ahead of the side’s clash with Richmond, the star midfielder has full confidence in his much-improved 22. 

Last year the GC SUNS jumped up the AFL ladder with eight wins for the season – compared to three in each of the club’s first two campaigns – but to take the next step the team needs to beat finals contenders like the Tigers on a regular basis.

 “We’re focused on Round 1 against Richmond, which is a great opportunity at home,” Ablett said.

We just want to start well.  If we can have a win early it’s going to do the boys’ confidence a world of good and we need them up and firing early and we need them confident.

“We’ve got to get out there and we’ve got to play good footy and do that for four quarters, not just two or three.”

Plenty of eyes will be on teenage sensation Jack Martin, who plied his trade in the Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL team last year in preparation for his 2014 debut season. 

While Ablett admits the 18-year-old is “one of the most talented kids I’ve seen”, the superstar said there was no added expectation on Martin, despite the overwhelming hype surrounding his expected round one debut.

The GC SUNS skipper has cautioned against fans expecting too much from the youngster who will have ups and downs throughout his first year of senior footy.

“Which you expect from a young kid, but he’s relaxed and obviously excited about getting into the season,” he said.