What worked
1. Unearthing Touk Miller, Adam Saad and Jarrod Garlett, and major improvement from Jesse Lonergan, Alex Sexton, Aaron Hall and Henry Schade has given the Suns a layer of depth they previously lacked.

2. The mantra of 'no Gaz, no Suns' is slowly being eroded. In the absence of the injured Gary Ablett this year, the Suns not only won a few games, but proved they could compete without the Superman antics of their imperious skipper.

3. The spine looks fine. Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon are among the best one-two forward punches in the AFL, while Steven May is now undoubtedly among the competition's elite full-backs.

What failed
1. The off-field discipline. Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie, Danny Stanley, Jack Martin and Dixon all missed matches for breaking alcohol rules.

2. No team lost the quality of players like the Suns did to injuries. Their four best midfielders – Ablett, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia and David Swallow – played just 20 games between them.

3. Disposal efficiency was again deplorable. They worked on it during the pre-season, but clearly not enough. The 69.4 per cent efficiency was last in the League.

What we said in the pre-season
If the key position players remained fit and the Suns could embrace Eade's quicker gameplan, they would push towards the finals. We predicted they'd see some September action and finish seventh. We got that one wrong.

Overall rating
3.5/10. Injuries and lack of off-field discipline dominated the headlines this season, and with four wins and a draw to date, it's hard to be too kind. The effort in the final 12 games deserves some recognition with a significantly undermanned team.

The fans' rating

The coach
A really tough first season for Rodney Eade, who had every right to think it would be much smoother sailing. He quickly took a long-term approach and was happy to take one step back – by suspending players for ill-discipline – to take two forward. He made players challenge each other, and rewarded those for strong NEAFL form. The wins weren't there, but the improvements are clear to see.

MVP
Michael Rischitelli The contribution of Rischitelli cannot be overstated. While the injured midfield fell down in a heap around him, the veteran stood tall, missing just one game (for a personal reason), and carrying the load to average 23 disposals and six tackles. He filled in as captain for Ablett and was also a major off-field player in helping reshape the club's culture. 

Surprise packet
Adam Saad Unless you were a VFL fan, no one had heard of Saad 12 months ago. The pocket dynamo from Coburg was taken in the NAB Rookie draft, was quickly elevated, and did not look back. Groin troubles slowed him down late in the season, but most of his 16 games were typified by his blistering run-and-carry from the back half that ignited the Suns' attack

Get excited
Kade Kolodjashnij His debut season was excellent, but Kolodjashnij's encore has been even better. In a backline often under siege and decimated by injuries, the 20-year-old showed composure beyond his years. He's averaged 22 disposals a game and proved himself to be one of the most reliable kicks in the team.

Disappointment
Nick Malceski Fresh off an All Australian season, Malceski came as a big-name free agent signing on good money. He'd be the first to say his season has been horrible. Troubled by a cyst behind his knee that cost him four games, Malceski looked a step off the pace and his laser left boot was as reliable as a park footballer. The 31-year-old needs a strong off-season to guarantee a spot in the starting 22 in 2016.

Best win: 
55-point win over North Melbourne, round 14, Metricon Stadium.
Ablett's first match back from a shoulder injury was a memorable one. The skipper had 31 disposals and three goals, Dixon kicked seven and the Suns stormed to just their second match of the season.

Low point: There were a few to choose from, but the alcohol bans to Dixon and Martin get the nod. The club was 1-8, in the midst of an injury crisis and this happened just four weeks after Bennell, Matera, McKenzie and Stanley fell victim to the same indiscretion.

The big questions
1. How many players will they lose during the trade period?
A few players have been mentioned already – notably Dixon, Bennell and Zac Smith - and there might be a few more nervous as the club continues to strive for professionalism on and off the field.

2. Who will captain in 2016? 
Ablett has led since the club's inception and always said he would step aside when he felt the time was right. He has been challenged by teammates and responded this year. Does he keep the job or does reliable Rischitelli or youngster Lynch take over?

3. Can the midfield return in one piece?
New fitness boss Justin Cordy has a huge task first-up. O'Meara is coming off a freakish knee injury, while Prestia, Swallow and Ablett all suffered long-term knee problems. These four need to return to 100 per cent fitness through the pre-season.

Season in a song
Red Red Wine, UB40

Who's done?
Retirements: None
Ablett and Malceski are the oldest on the list and contracted to multi-year deals, so don't expect any Suns to hang up the boots.

Delistings: Josh Hall, Daniel Gorringe, Seb Tape, Clay Cameron, Louis Herbert, Jarred Ellis, Greg Broughton
A number of players appear on the chopping block. Despite glimpses, Hall hasn't worked out after switching from high jump four years ago, while Gorringe has not made the most of his chances in five seasons. Tape and Cameron appear to be battling for one position, while rookies Herbert, Ellis and Broughton also appear on the outer.

Trades/free agents
Charlie Dixon, Zac Smith, Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie
Power forward Dixon is being heavily chased by Port Adelaide, although the Suns are keen to keep him. Ruckman Smith is clearly No.2 behind Tom Nicholls and may be looking elsewhere, while Bennell is attracting interest with two years left on his contract. Like Bennell, Matera and McKenzie are under contract, but both have been dropped for poor form and with their off-field issues, the club would be foolish to not explore any decent offers.

What they need
When there's a full squad to choose from, most of the pieces would seem to be there. The one glaring omission is a third tall that can swing between attack and defence. Henry Schade has improved in the back half, while Sam Day has done the job on occasions but is more suited to a power position.

What's the time?
The Suns might not be as far away as people think. With their bookends and midfield in place, the pieces are there. There's lot of areas to improve – fitness, resilience and ball movement among them – but pushing the top four within the next few years is not beyond them.

Early call
7-10
If – and it's a big if after this year – they get a fair run with injury, you'd expect the Suns to be pushing the edge of the finals next year. They have a lot to improve before next season, but the work-rate is slowly catching up with the talent. Finishing seventh to 10th wouldn't surprise.