GOLD Coast vice-captain Tom Lynch says he wants the Suns to have engendered the same respect as Hawthorn, Geelong and the Sydney Swans when he finishes his career.

The key forward was one of the few shining lights for the Suns in 2015 as the expansion club's growing pains were exposed.

"At the end of it we want to have sustained success here and really set the club up for a really good future," Lynch told goldcoastfc.com.au.

"When you look back at the end of my career, hopefully Gold Coast can be looked upon as the same as Hawthorn, Geelong and Sydney, how well they have been, and what a great culture they have."

Those three clubs have won all but two premierships decided since 2004.

The 23-year-old has played 80 games with the Suns and kicked 124 goals since making his debut in 2011 and is considered a future superstar of the competition.

He has kicked more than 40 goals in his past two seasons, however he is yet to play in a final with the club.

Lynch was appointed vice-captain along with two other emerging players, Dion Prestia and Steven May, with Gary Ablett retained as captain.

He said leadership was more than a title and could be expressed regardless of age, and he saw 2016 as a chance to right some wrongs from the club's first five seasons. 

"[This season] is a chance to earn some respect back and earn some greater respect from around the AFL community as a group," May said.