In a nutshell
What started with such promise ended with a pile of questions. The SUNS began with three straight wins, but finished with just six for the year and were again smashed by injuries.

What we said in the pre-season 
No-one expected the SUNS to make finals, but the general consensus was a big improvement if they could get their best midfield on the park – alas, it wasn't to be. We thought Sam Day and Peter Wright might battle for one forward line spot alongside Tom Lynch and it turns out both played much of the year and did it well.

What worked
The key position talent emerged as some of the best in the AFL. Steven May and Rory Thompson are rock solid at the back, while Tom Lynch, Peter Wright and Sam Day give opposition defenders plenty of headaches. The SUNS also became more ruthless at the selection table – ask Aaron Hall, Tom Nicholls and Brandon Matera – and have clearly improved their base of leaders.

What failed
Injuries, injuries, injuries. They used 40 players, second most in the league, and were forced to play a B and C-Grade midfield far too often. Many were impact injuries and unavoidable, but some recurring soft tissue problems (Matt Rosa and Adam Saad among them) are concerning.

Overall rating
C. The wins weren't there, but apart from a horror six-week stretch early on, the improvement was clear to see.

The coach
Two years in and Rodney Eade hasn't really had a fair crack at it yet. The progress in culture, leadership and competitiveness on a week-to-week basis is evident, but he's out of contract at the end of 2017 and will need to start winning some games.

The leaders 
Gary Ablett was just coming back to somewhere near his best form before his season was cut short by another shoulder surgery. In his absence, Lynch and May were brilliant as joint captains. Ablett's captaincy is vastly improved, his teammates and coaches say, but he now has some ready-made replacements. Could be a tough decision for 2017.

MVP
Tom Lynch: Incredible season from the power forward. Kicked 66 goals in a struggling team, is the best contested mark in the game and should be rewarded with an All Australian selection.

Tom Lynch kicked 66 goals in a battling team, and deserves All-Australian selection. Picture: AFL Photos

Surprise packet
Jesse Joyce: Rookie-listed, the SUNS academy product was expected to develop through the NEAFL this season. Injuries gave him a chance, and 11 senior games later, his decision-making and disposal from the back half was a delight.

Get excited
Peter Wright: The 203cm forward made huge progress in his second season. Expected to take far longer to develop, Wright started holding his feet better, taking pack marks and is a perfect foil for Lynch.

Best win
Round two: Gold Coast 19.12 (126) d Fremantle 14.16 (100) at Domain Stadium
With Fremantle at full strength, and so early in the season, defeating the Dockers in Perth was a huge scalp. Lynch (five goals) and Jack Martin (four) starred in the forward line, while Hall's 32 disposals were also crucial.

The big questions
How will the midfield look next season?
Can Rodney Eade get them to the finals?
Who will be captain?

How should they approach trade and draft period?
Already with a fistful of top-25 picks that will bring midfield talent through the draft, the SUNS desperately need ready-made players through the trade period to cover the losses of O'Meara and Prestia.

Early call for 2017
The SUNS should be pushing hard for the top eight. They need some on-field improvement to go with the off-field development.