By Ashley Browne

Twelve months removed from his club's start in the AFL, Gold Coast SUNS skipper Gary Ablett has spoken about how tough the opening season was for the GC SUNS and offered some thoughts on what Greater Western Sydney might expect.

According to Ablett, the maiden season for an AFL club is both challenging and exciting.

"There's no doubt it is challenging in the first year when you have so many new people and new players around a footy club," he said on Thursday as the 18 captains gathered in Sydney for the AFL season launch.

"You don't really know what to expect, but at the same time, that's pretty exciting."

According to Ablett, there were few internal expectations and he expects it will no different with the Giants.

"There are some talented kids. They just have go out there and play the best footy they can and see what happens from there," he said.

"They also have some experienced players there who have been through some ups and downs in their career, and they have to bring those lessons with them."

"Their job is to lead the younger blokes through the first season because it will be tough."

If anything, the constant losing might be tougher for the experienced players, some of who, like Ablett, have tasted premiership glory.

"Everyone finds it tough when you're not winning," he said.

"Perhaps even more so for the senior guys who have come from established clubs and culture and are used to winning."

"You don’t expect things to happen straight away and it will take time, but it's not easy walking out there when you win only three games."

Ablett said there would be times for a heavy touch from Giants skippers Luke Power, Callan Ward and Phil Davis, and times where the mood would need to be light.

"I think you need a bit of both. You need to be serious and it's a long season in a tough industry, but you also need a bit of fun around the club," he said.