GOLD Coast has been fined $5000 for failing to submit paperwork on time that indicated star midfielder David Swallow was off the long-term injury list.

Swallow, 23, played his first game in 2016 when he returned to the NEAFL in round 21.

He had been sidelined since round 15, 2015 with a knee injury and placed on the long-term injury list early in the season.

The Suns should have lodged paperwork to the AFL indicating his reinstatement to the list before that weekend's matches.

The AFL took the Suns' good record into account when considering the penalty, determining it was an administrative error around paperwork requirements.

Swallow was placed on the long-term injury list in March and Ryan Davis was upgraded from the rookie list as a replacement.

Davis played 19 games and kicked 15 goals after joining the Suns this season.

The Suns remain optimistic Swallow will make a strong return in 2017 for the final year of his contract as they look to climb up the ladder having lost young midfielders Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara.