Michael Barlow has been with Gold Coast less than three months, but the former Fremantle midfielder is already immersed in the SUNS' culture.
Not only is the 29-year-old part of his new club's leadership group, but Barlow says he wants to lay a platform for the SUNS to be successful for the next decade.
Much like the acquisition of Matt Rosa from West Coast 12 months earlier, Barlow has had an immediate impact on his younger teammates at Metricon Stadium.
With 126 games for the Dockers next to his name, not only does he bring a hardened midfield body, but a work ethic that's hard to match.
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Barlow has been a frontrunner on the training track and, with his teammates electing him to the seven-strong leadership group, has clearly been influential behind closed doors.
"You never expect or understand the impact you're having on the wider group, especially only being here a couple of months," Barlow said.
"Having had seven years in the system and being a little bit older than the core group here, I felt it would benefit myself to get here and play AFL, but also to mould and be part of something special, not only in the next two or three years, but be a big part of the club's direction in the next eight or 10 years.
"If I could sit back on the couch in 10 years, having a beer and watching a successful SUNS era, I'd like to think I've had a little bit to play in that."
In his seven seasons with the Dockers, Barlow played in nine finals, including the losing 2013 Grand Final against Hawthorn.
Coming to a club that has yet to see September action, Barlow said he'd seen enough in his early days to indicate the SUNS were on the right track.
"Not only bringing in good footballers … but good people and people that are motivated by success and not solely here to pick up the pay cheque," he said.
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"The core group that are still here from the inauguration, guys like Tom Lynch, Steven May, Dave Swallow, Trent McKenzie, guys that have weathered the storm a little bit.
"They came in and were thrown to the wolves to a certain degree, touted as the best in the nation at such a young age, (it) would be pretty daunting to take on.
"Their resilience, mental toughness and fortitude to stay the distance and get to the point where they're proud of something they've established but aren't resting on their laurels.
"Guys like that, (who) have been here a long time and are motivated by that team success are really dragging the rest of the group along with them."
