Draft lotto

The Giants had two bites of the draft cherry compared to Gold Coast's one – and boy did they make the most of it. From the Suns' 2010 crop, they hit on David Swallow, Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia. The following year it was the Giants' turn to dominate the compromised draft board, securing Jonathon Patton, Stephen Coniglio and Devon Smith. In 2012 they landed Lachie Whitfield with the number one pick. On top of that, the Giants were afforded the rights to trade four 17-year-olds in a 'mini draft' that secured them four top-10 selections. With such a smorgasbord of first round riches stockpiled over the early years, the Giants have traded out first-round picks Jono O'Rourke, Adam Treloar, Dom Tyson and Tom Boyd. In return has come future first round picks and a steady diet of stars that ensures their list profile is spread out over many years. - Michael Whiting

Prime-time recruiting

While both clubs had access to a host of young talent, it was the Giants' choice of uncontracted established players that has set them apart from the Suns. Co-captains Phil Davis and Callan Ward were just 21 years old, 2009 No.1 draft pick Tom Scully was also 20, and Rising Star winner Rhys Palmer just 22. All four are still important members of the Giants' best side, are quality leaders and more importantly, are now in their prime at the same time GWS is entering its premiership window. Veterans Luke Power, Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes and James McDonald also added the experience vital for a start-up club. Gold Coast went after one giant fish in Gary Ablett and while he won a Brownlow in his third season at the club, the champ hasn't been able to drag his side along for the ride, and his best looks to be behind him. Michael Rischitelli and Jarrod Harbrow were solid picks, but Nathan Bock, Campbell Brown, Jared Brennan, Josh Fraser and Nathan Krakouer were disasters. - Adam Curley

Trading up

GWS was shattered when Lance Franklin signed with the Sydney Swans, but Buddy's arrival forced premiership ruckman Shane Mumford out of the club, and he's now the most important player on the Giants' list. Mumford won the best and fairest in his first year, and another flag winner Heath Shaw did the same in his second, with the former Pie now arguably the best small defender in the competition. Add former Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen, Norm Smith medallist Steve Johnson and dual Brisbane Lions club champion Joel Patfull to that list and you have a wealth of class and experience to help the young stars emerge. The Suns traded in their own premiership Swan in Nick Malceski who was coming off an All Australian year, but just like his penetrating left foot, the defender has failed to fire. Mitch Hallahan, Greg Broughton and Tom Murphy didn't work, and the jury is still out on Matt Rosa, Jarrad Grant and Dan Currie who arrived in last year's trade period. - Adam Curley

Shane Mumford's recruitment has proven to be a masterstroke. Picture: AFL Media

Absentees

Whether it's bad luck, bad management or a bit of both, Gold Coast has been clobbered by the injury stick harder than most. Right when their initial draftees are meant to be entering their prime, many Suns are spending more time in rehab than on the field. The 2013 Rising Star winner Jaeger O'Meara hasn't played for 20 months, while David Swallow, the club's 2014 club champion, has played just six games in that time. Dion Prestia, Jack Martin, Rory Thompson and Charlie Dixon (before he left) are also rehab regulars. Gary Ablett, the game's best player, has been crippled the past two years with major injury. Last year's starting midfield of Ablett, Prestia, Swallow and O'Meara played a combined total of just 20 games. The Giants copped their whack last year as well, losing pivotal ruckman Shane Mumford, Joel Patfull and the luckless Phil Davis for long stretches, but apart from Jonathon Patton's two knee reconstructions (which have been costly), they have generally been a tad luckier. It's the quality as much as the quantity that has hurt the Suns and exposed their lack of depth in different areas across the field. - Michael Whiting 

Gary Ablett and the SUns have been crippled by injury the past two seasons. Picture: AFL Media

Stability

The Giants needed an experienced coach to build the club's profile in a tough market, so the choice of Kevin Sheedy was a masterstroke. The four-time Essendon premiership coach did his best work off the field, then helped Leon Cameron transition into the main role with ease. Recruiting guru Graeme Allan, list manager Stephen Silvagni, welfare managers Craig Lambert and wife Melissa were all vital to the Giants set up, and even though all have moved on, the base was there to build a club around and the benefits are now being seen. On the flip side, Gold Coast chose an untried coach in Guy McKenna and sacked him after four unsuccessful seasons, with the club's culture a mess amid drug dramas involving code-hopper Karmichael Hunt and other off-field controversies that saw young stars Harley Bennell and Charlie Dixon offloaded. - Adam Curley