OUT-OF-contract Gold Coast star Tom Lynch is expected to retain his role as a Suns co-captain. 

Lynch shared the duties with Steven May in 2017 after former skipper Gary Ablett stood aside, and AFL.com.au understands the same structure will be kept this season. 

The remainder of the leadership group is still in limbo though, with David Swallow and Touk Miller joined by veterans Michael Rischitelli, Michael Barlow and Matt Rosa last year.

New coach Stuart Dew originally hoped to have the leadership group locked away before Christmas. 

Dew said early in the pre-season he was a fan of the co-captaincy model, having seen it work successfully in his days at Sydney as an assistant coach.

Lynch, alongside midfield ace Rory Sloane, is the biggest name free agent, with some predicting he could attract offers in excess of $1.5 million a season.

The 25-year-old has played 121 games for the Suns, and kicked more than 40 goals in each of the past four years, including 66 in his All Australian season of 2016.

Gold Coast is expected to announce its leadership group in the coming weeks.