TOP-10 draftee Will Brodie's emergence in the second half of the year as a potential top-line inside midfielder is being held up as an example of what is possible at Gold Coast.
The 20-year-old Victorian, the ninth selection in the 2016 draft, played only three games in his first season and added just two more through the first 15 rounds in 2018.
The rumblings began making their way south about Brodie being frustrated at his predicament in an under-performing Suns team that seemingly should have had use for him.
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He was one of four top-10 picks that headed to the Gold Coast in his draft year, along with Ben Ainsworth (four), Jack Scrimshaw (seven) and Jack Bowes (10).
One reason for Brodie being stuck in the NEAFL was the need for him to work on his prowess away from stoppages, but there was far more going on, as Gold Coast football boss Jon Haines revealed.
"It was more about developing Will's mindset and understanding. He wants to be the best and he's got terrific competitive instincts," Haines told AFL.com.au.
"He wants to win all the time and hates losing.
"The fact he couldn't quite find that key to the lock to work out what was going to turn it and make it work for him was frustrating him, but it was nothing to do with his physical attributes.
"It was all to do with his mindset and ability to be open and listen and learn, and once he worked that out, we saw how quickly he developed later in the year."
Brodie broke back into the senior line-up in round 16 and put together a five-match stretch where he averaged 23 disposals (11 contested), 4.8 clearances, 4.4 tackles and 3.6 inside 50s.
He didn't last even half an hour in round 21 before sustaining a hamstring injury against reigning premier Richmond that prematurely ended his season.
But by then, Brodie had proven his bonafides as an AFL footballer – obviously with more improvement to come – and the Suns' hardline approach with him was justified.
Haines said Brodie's development, under first-year coach Stuart Dew and his staff, was one of the bright spots for the season.
"You've got a highly driven young man who's got all the attributes we're looking for in our young players, but he was having some challenges in what was required to play at AFL level," he said.
"I think the process all the coaches undertook with Will was a great case study in how to get the best out of young players – and we want to see more of that.
"The back half of Will's season this year showed he has all the attributes to be an elite inside midfielder.
"I saw him in the gym only the other day and he's looking in terrific condition. He's constantly communicating with Stuey that he can't wait for pre-season to start."
Brodie isn't the only promising young player emerging on the Gold Coast, either.
The likes of Ainsworth, Bowes, ex-Docker Lachie Weller, Touk Miller, Jack Martin, Brayden Fiorini and Peter Wright also look to have bright futures.
Last year's first-round pick Wil Powell gained seven games' experience this past season, too.
Haines has "a huge amount of faith" in Gold Coast's young group, but said the club's new regime was moving away from focusing on individuals to a more "collective" view.
"Our leadership philosophy and model is very much built around 'we' and 'us'," he said.
"One thing, as an observation coming into the Suns (late last year), is I'm not sure the focus on individuals and individual players was helpful at times to the growth of the football club.
"We're focusing on how we can help each other to get better and get that critical mass of players in that mindset.
"That's what's going to help us be a really good footy club, as opposed to saying, 'Well, we're putting it on the back of Player A or Player B'."
