LEAGUE boss Andrew Demetriou says the Gold Coast’s impressive start to season indicates the expansion side is spearing towards achieving it’s 20-ONE-3 goals.

Prior to delivering the AFL’s annual club presentation to the SUNS’ administration, coaches and players, Demetriou fronted up before the cameras and offered Gold Coasters a strong performance appraisal in the wake of their competitive performance against Hawthorn on the weekend.

“The fact they won their first game in Melbourne, held back-to-back wins and then backed up their efforts at the MCG against a very good football team in Hawthorn was fantastic,” Demetriou said.

“They are certainly coming along nicely – they have a terrific group of players and have an excellent culture for a young club.

“They’re well led by their Chairman, CEO, board and have a great coaching staff so we’re pleased with the progress with the SUNS.”

Demetriou believes the playing group’s growing maturity is the catalyst behind the spike in competitiveness and relentless hunger to win.

“They’ve increased their competitiveness and also their football expenditure towards the end of last year, and seem to have a lot more self-belief in themselves.”

But it isn’t just Demetriou who believes the Gold Coast is a much-improved unit this year, with the chief executive also letting slip that all AFL Club across the code have begun to taking notice of the boys from the tourist capital.

“What is good also is all our clubs are pleased with the progress of the SUNS,” Demetriou said.

“This club acquired the support of all other 16 clubs to expand into the competition and I think they see the SUNS are on the right track.”

Although it hasn’t been the easiest transition for the GC SUNS, Demetriou commended the club for how it had has overcome numerous adversities that have unfolded during it’s foundation years.

“We’re pleased with how the SUNS have handled themselves in general… it’s very difficult to start a club from scratch, bring a bunch of players from all over the country, and then build a culture – and that to see because you can sense it through the staff and board," Demetriou said.

“So that in itself was difficult.”

With the club having achieved an annual target of 10,000 hours in the community and for consecutive years been awarded the AFL’s #1 venue for match-day experience, Demetriou said it was evident the Gold Coast had built a strong community brand in a difficult sporting market.

“We’re particularly pleased with the engagement of the community, and every time I come up here I marvel at the acceptance by the community because of the great partnership with the SUNS and the community,” said Demetriou.

“So we’re very grateful for the way the club is performing.”