SUNS Senior Coach Stuart Dew has said the club’s improvement will be driven by a core group of players in their early 20’s who have established themselves at AFL level.

Speaking on Sportsday Radio on Wednesday evening, Dew said he was looking to the likes of Jack Martin, Lachie Weller and Peter Wright to take the next step in their AFL careers.

But he’ll also be expecting bigger things from players such as Brayden Fiorini, Jack Bowes and Ben Ainsworth who are likewise making strides with their development in the SUNS’ midfield.

“That’s been one of our key indicators, where do we advance them in their career,” Dew said. 

“(It comes down to) rating them against themselves but also other players in the competition.” 

Fiorini, Bowes and Ainsworth are all still in the 20’s for AFL games played, while Peter Wright is set to play his 50^th game if named in round one. 

“He’s (Wright) still only 23 and he was probably one that was played early and took a little while to get some confidence,” Dew said. 

“But now that he’s one of the main figures up there I think he’ll get some confidence from that and he’s started the year well.”

With defensive pillar Rory Thompson going down with an ACL injury last week, Dew said he was confident in the club’s depth in their tall stocks.

With key-position draftees Ben King and Jack Lukosius expected to take time to develop, there’s an opportunity for mature recruits Sam Collins and Jack Hombsch to show their worth.

Chris Burgess is another key-position utility who has impressed Dew in his time at the club so far and is firming for a round one debut after playing both JLT Community Series matches alongside Wright in the forward line.