During the Christmas/New Year break, AFL.com.au looks at each club and how they're tracking for the 2011 pre-season

Introduction
The majority of the Suns' young list (players with one to four years of experience) resumed training in the Gold Coast heat on October 24. Two weeks later they joined the experienced guys in Arizona for a two-week altitude camp that has already paid dividends, with a stack of personal bests in the club's endurance testing since returning to Australia. The Suns have focused on developing their young bodies to cope with the rigors of AFL, and spent as much time together as possible to fast-track team unity.

Medical room
Although a couple of players have been on modified programs at different stages, the only two serious casualties have been Piers Flanagan (hip) and Michael Coad (hamstring). The pair had seriously interrupted 2011 campaigns because of their injuries and are still completing their rehab programs. All players trained in Arizona.

Summer superstar
While captain Gary Ablett is tearing up the training track and is miles in front of the same time last year, second-year players Luke Russell, Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy have also been hugely impressive to date. Prestia came back from his off-season break in great shape and has kicked on in leaps and bounds, Caddy has been an animal on the track after an injury-plagued 2011, and Tasmanian Russell has been one of the most professional at the club in every aspect of his training.

Draftee watch
Queensland zone selections Jackson Allen and Alex Sexton, along with 17-year-old Western Australian Jaeger O'Meara, have been with the club most of its pre-season and flew to Arizona with the main group. The Suns' sole national draft acquisition, Henry Schade, joined in later. The quartet has participated in most of - but not the entire duration of - the main skills sessions, but Gold Coast is more intent on improving their conditioning and football education over the next 12 months.

Putting the feet up
The Suns broke up on December 21 and return to training on January 4, with each player given an individual program during the two weeks to make sure the festive cheer doesn't add any extra kilograms to the frame.

Membership
The Suns are already touching on 8,000 members with the 'Together We Are Stronger' motto, which is on par with where they were at this time last year. After drawing 13,000 in season one, they are eyeing off the 15,000 mark in 2012.

NAB Cup schedule
Round one (Saturday, February 25): v Brisbane Lions and Melbourne, Metricon Stadium
Round two (Friday, March 2): v Geelong, Metricon Stadium
Round three (Saturday, March 10): v GWS, Albury

What they say
"The fitness level of everyone has increased, the continuity and chemistry amongst the group has increased so we're a mile ahead of where we were last year." - coach Guy McKenna

"The boys did fantastic in Arizona. There was some pretty mentally and physically challenging hikes and training sessions over there and all the boys did really well. Every training session we're out to improve." - captain Gary Ablett

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs