Revered leader Jarrod Harbrow will captain an AFL club for the first time when he leads the Gold Coast SUNS into battle against West Coast in the second NAB Challenge game in Joondalup on Thursday.

After playing 70 games with the Western Bulldogs between 2007 and 2010, the 27-year-old is the games record holder at Metricon Stadium with 93 and is excited about his first opportunity to captain the side.

“This will be my first time as captain and I’m excited about it,’’ Harbrow told The Courier Mail.

While the SUNS will take an inexperienced side over to Perth, the younger players taking the field still have plenty to prove with spots remaining up for grabs in Rodney Eade’s round one side.

READ: Harbrow- it feels like a new club

“That is another massive opportunity for those young boys to put their hands up for selection, to show their wares,” Harbrow said.

“There is a lot more depth now which is something we have been crying out for, for a while.

“Spots are certainly going to be up for grabs, Rocket has made it pretty clear he will be picking the round one side on form, he will reward pre-season form.”