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Gold Coast will enter their ninth year in the AFL with a noticeable lack of star power, but it may prove to be in their best long-term interests.
Peter Everitt says Gold Coast must throw themselves into the media spotlight or risk a season of obscurity after making the brave call to overhaul their list.
Stuart Dew's Suns will field a side devoid of star power after co-captains Steven May and Tom Lynch both departed in the trade period.
They joined a growing list of high-profile former players that includes Gary Ablett, Adam Saad, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia and Charlie Dixon.
But Everitt, a 291-game veteran of St Kilda, Hawthorn and Sydney, insists it was a necessary move after eight seasons of mediocrity - their best finish was 12th in 2012 - since entering the league.
"I was a bit flat but sitting back now I think Dewy's done the right thing," Gold Coast-based Everitt, who is a paying member, told AAP.
"They aren't trying to bandaid things; they've been brave like you have to be if you want to make change."
The Suns will receive picks two, three and six, as well as 24, 29 and 80 in the draft while they've also acquired Jack Hombsch, Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis, George Horlin-Smith, Josh Corbett, Chris Burgess and Sam Collins.
Like Aaron Young, Nick Holman and Harrison Wigg last season, Dew will be hoping for serviceable returns from fringe AFL players or state league standouts that have been given another crack.
But it leaves them short of A-listers, with Everitt anticipating either of foundation pair Jarrod Harbrow or David Swallow to earn the captaincy.
Defender Touk Miller will enter his fourth year while raw midfielders Will Brodie, Jack Bowes, Brayden Fiorini and Ben Ainsworth will all need to step up in their third seasons.
"They'll rally," delisted Suns midfielder Michael Barlow told RSN on Thursday.
"As players you enjoy that aspect of you against the world and Dewy ... will embrace that."
Everitt said the club should throw open their doors to the media and allow the community to come along for the ride.
"They've got to get themselves in the media to get that community support, because I know when they are a finals side there won't be a spare ticket to be found," he said.
"The great thing now is that it's an unknown and they've tried something different.
"Dewy will push the old theory that a champion team will beat a team of champions and if there is any inkling (of player discontent) tell them they can go."
