GOLD Coast's star forward Tom Lynch has declared himself ready to take on the captaincy if the club chooses to give him the responsibility next season.
The 23-year-old key forward has been sharing captaincy duties with key defender Steven May, with injured skipper Gary Ablett sidelined since round 16.
The vice-captain played his 100th game for the Suns at Etihad Stadium on Sunday and sits third on the goalkicking table with 63 goals.
"At the start of the year I don't think I was ready for it, but I feel like I am becoming more comfortable in the role," Lynch said.
He said he is enjoying doing the job alongside May and both were learning what was required.
"[I'm] not thinking too much about next year but feel like I have improved during the season."
Lynch is in his sixth year at the expansion club and won its best and fairest last season after being runner-up in 2014.
Despite just six wins being below what the club hoped to achieve in 2016, he felt they had made really big strides as a club.
Lynch thinks Ablett's injury was untimely as the champion was building back to his best before hurting his shoulder.
He said Ablett could create some havoc around goals if the Suns built enough midfield depth to enable him to rotate between the forward 50 and the middle of the ground.
"[It would] be nice if he could spend a bit more time forward," Lynch said.