Training return: The SUNS' first-to-fourth year players will return on Monday, November 6. The senior players will return two weeks later on November 20. There is no pre-season training camp scheduled, but the SUNS will have to move their training base to nearby Bond University in early March when the Commonwealth Games closes in on their Metricon Stadium precinct.

Injury list: The list is in good shape, with key position player Sam Day back running after the horrific dislocated hip injury that wiped out his 2017. Day will progress slowly through the pre-season. Michael Barlow is back running at full strength after his broken leg and captain Tom Lynch will put in a full pre-season after a knee injury interrupted him late season.

Draft picks: 19, 41, 50, 54, 76, 94

Arrived: Lachie Weller, Harrison Wigg, Aaron Young

Departed: Gary Ablett (trade), Keegan Brooksby (delisted), Dan Currie (delisted), Ryan Davis (delisted), Jarrad Grant (delisted), Mitch Hallahan (delisted), Cameron Loersch (delisted), Brandon Matera (trade), Trent McKenzie (DFA), Adam Saad (trade), Matt Shaw (delisted), Mackenzie Willis (delisted).

Major off-field moves: The biggest move came with the appointment of coach Stuart Dew, who gets his first coaching job to replace Rodney Eade. Dew has brought George Stone with him from the Sydney Swans who will oversee the coaching department. Shaun Hart has also returned to the SUNS after four years at Port Adelaide as the head of development. The club is still looking to appoint a replacement for Marcus Ashcroft as the general manager of football.

Round one: North Melbourne, Cazaly's Stadium (Cairns), Saturday, March 24, 6.25pm

We say: A huge year coming up for Gold Coast as it tries to gain credibility in the competition. Dew's appointment gives them a fresh face in charge, and after a long apprenticeship at the Swans, you can expect to see a harder edge in both their pre-season and playing style. No Gary Ablett for the first time in club history, but the SUNS will still be in the headlines with captain Lynch the biggest free agent name in the game. The raw talent is there to be competitive, but just how they gel under Dew will be intriguing.