Gold Coast vice-captain Tom Lynch emerged as one of the game’s premier young forwards last season, booting 46 goals to provide the team with a focal point in attack. Lynch’s on-field performance can’t be questioned, but his leadership skills have blossomed according to Gold Coast SUNS forwards coach Ashley Prescott, with the tall forward setting up the SUNS in attack and directing traffic during the pre-season.
 
Danny Stanley has played in just about every position on the ground during his time on the Gold Coast, but the modern-day utility looks destined for a more permanent role across half-forward this season. Prescott revealed the 27-year-old has improved his attention to detail with his preparation, giving himself the best chance of crafting a strong campaign.
 
Three men joined the SUNS in late November, all with enormous wraps. Peter Wright, Jarrod Garlett and Touk Miller have all settled in well at the club and all have a burning desire to play senior football this season. And as soon as possible. Prescott refrained from putting a time frame on their debuts, but said they all had the potential to play in their first season at Carrara. Although there is no doubt they won’t be rushed, instead when the time is right, they will be given the green light to commence their careers.  
 
Brandon Matera has overcome post-season groin surgery that plagued him throughout 2014. The livewire forward is set to play a similar role to recent seasons, playing at the feet of Lynch and Charlie Dixon, as well as playing as a high half-forward at times. Prescott revealed the Western Australian had been producing some strong GPS results comparable with the best half-forwards in the game.

Ashley Prescott's insight into the state of his line group:

Danny Stanley

“I suppose where he fits into the plans will be up to Danny, but to his credit he’s really knuckled down with his preparation. Danny’s a pretty solid sort of bloke and we need him to probably just lean off a little bit so we’ve adjusted his weights program and paying particular attention to becoming a lot leaner and harder so he can cover a bit more ground. He’s training particularly well, he’s shown great leadership and really works hard to try and improve his game so he’s one of many players who’s fighting for a spot and the way he’s going about it at the moment he’s giving himself every opportunity.”

Tom Lynch

“He’s one of those players Tom that whenever a forward setup needs to be put in place he’s the one that’s barking instructions, he’s talking to the players not only ahead of him but behind him too. From a performance point of view, its hard to criticize what he does but probably what’s been most pleasing is his leadership, he’s ability to generate enthusiasm, to set us up structurally and to play with great effort all the time.”

Charlie Dixon & Sam Day

“Sammy Day had a bit of a stomach cyst earlier in the year which took us a bit of time to diagnose but once we did he had a fantastic block of training. He just had a bit of calf awareness so he’s working particularly hard in rehab and look he’ll be looking to join into main training and be available for NAB Two or Three. Probably a little bit the same with Charlie, a little bit of a hangover with an ankle injury from last year but again these guys don’t get much rest in rehab, they’re doing a lot of km’s, doing a lot of work in the gym so when he’s available to come back into footy we think he’ll be in really good condition to do so.”

Touk Miller/ Jarrod Garlett/ Peter Wright

“Gee they’ve been impressive. The way they've settled into the club has been a credit to them and also the PDM’s (Player Development Manager’s), Simon Fletcher and Sam Cohen, have got them settled off field too. Probably with Miller, he’s shown a real appetite to play that high half-forward role which is an extremely demanding position to play because you need to push high up the ground and then release hard back to become a forward again. His running patterns, his skills, his marking has been very good. He’s another one of those players, you’re not expecting them to play a lot of AFL footy first year but at the moment he’s really putting his hand up to get a position. It’s hard to predict and you don’t want to predict (if they’ll all debut this season), but Miller, Peter Wright’s another one - Peter’s been super impressive in his ability to play key position type role. And I think with Peter he’ll be exposed to some development opportunities through the ruck too. We’re not just limiting him to playing key-position. And young Garlett, he’s been refreshing, he’s a wonderful character to have around the club – he’s energetic, he’s enthusiasm, he’s got speed to burn, he’s beautifully skilled, he’s one of those players that brings others into the game.”

Aaron Hall & Andrew Boston

“Boston’s come into footy now, so he’s probably had a week of training and done really well. He’s becoming a lot more professional in regards of looking after his body and becoming a pro footballer so that’s been pleasing. Aaron Hall had the groin surgery; he’s really ticking all the boxes he needs to tick in regards to strengthening up his core and his groins. He’s joined in I think for a week now, we haven’t seen him in any match simulation sessions or practice matches so he’ll be a little bit later but he’s looking in fantastic nick and he’s footy education’s been wonderful. He’s one of those players that are always coming in looking at ways to improve his game.”

Brandon Matera

“He’s a quality player Brandon and he’s ability to live off the [Tom] Lynch’s and the Peter Wright’s and the [Charlie] Dixon’s as a crumbing forward is certainly his best spot. Matera again he had a little bit of groin surgery earlier in the year, he got over that, he’s been in full training, his GPS numbers are consistent with some really good high half forwards so his an exciting prospect and hopefully he can take his game to another level this year.”

Louis Herbert/ Tim Sumner/ Josh Hall

“We’ve put the acid on those boys to really lift and to become great preparers. Probably in the past they’ve lacked a little bit of professionalism in that area. Louis Herbert’s been wonderful, he’s ability to present hard to the kicker and he’s quite a crafty forward who’s good overhead so he’s certainly a player to look out for this year. Josh Hall really getting over the shoulder issues that he’s had. His ability in the intra-club today and also in the match simulation sessions. His leadership stood out too, he’s a very consciousness player and he’s always looking to try and help others and make sure that our setups are correct. He’s really blossoming as a leader.”

Keegan Brooksby

“He’s been fantastic since he’s come in Keegan. He’s one of those mature age players who’s had a taste of playing senior state league footy in South Australia. So he’s very mature, he’s very coachable and look he’s shown some great signs forward in taking some big marks and also his ability to go into the ruck and pinch-hit at times. Look again, a player who’s come in, he shows great character and he’s ability to improve and try and get better as a player. I think we’ll see him maximise his potential and that’s all we can ask for.”