GOLD Coast's young team still has a lot to learn says coach Rodney Eade, and they've had to start by lifting their training standards.
Eade said with such an inexperienced list he envisaged teething issues during his first month, but the veteran coach was pleased with how the players had taken the new demands on board.
"Being a young group, I expected this, but there's a lot to learn football wise," Eade said at the club's open training session on Wednesday morning.
"They've responded really well, but there's a fair bit to improve on their standards of training to the intensity that's required at AFL level.
"The core of the group is 22 or younger so they don't know a lot, in many ways.
"That's one thing we've had to talk about consistently and I think what's pleasing is that the players want to drive that."
Gold Coast has just seven of its 46 listed players aged 25 or older.
Eade said with so much youth, they could either "be there for the ride" or jump in and work hard, which they'd done.
"It's more about education," he said.
"Just knowing the intensity of the drill. If it's a warm up drill, players go through the motions, we need that to be more intense."
The Suns will complete their final session on Friday before the Christmas break, with only a small number left in the rehab group.
Skipper Gary Ablett is back to doing 95 per cent of the running volume following shoulder surgery, while Eade said no risks would be taken with midfielder Jaeger O'Meara following his return from knee surgery.
He expected the 2013 NAB Rising Star winner to be available for round one.
