Stuart Dew looked to have reinvigorated Gold Coast at the start of 2018, with the Suns - much to everyone's bewilderment - sitting at 2-0 with victories over North Melbourne and Carlton.
But from then on it was nothing short of disaster, with the expansion club only notching up a further two wins to finish in 17th position on the ladder.
While the Suns have topped up their list and given a lifeline to the likes of Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis and Jordan Murdoch, the continual exodus of premium talent has only continued to push the Suns backwards.
Tom Lynch's departure to Richmond has placed an overwhelming amount of pressure on Peter Wright and Sam Day, with the two big men up forward crucial to putting the Suns on the scoreboard.
While the recruitment of Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine will add some much-needed flair to the Suns' line-up, the latter will spend the next six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
The backline stocks haven't fared much better, with Rory Thompson ruled out for the season with a knee injury - something further compounded by the departure of Steven May - opening the door for the young Ben King to make his mark in a relatively inexperienced defence.
While the prospects for the Suns seem minimal at best, the long-term signings of Jarrod Witts, David Swallow and Touk Miller can inject some optimism into the Gold Coast faithful, while Lachie Weller is poised for another promising year.
But optimism alone won't help the Suns detach themselves from the bottom of the ladder.
OUR BEST 22 - ROUND 1
NOTABLE OMISSIONS: Josh Corbett (knee), Sean Lemmens (ankle), Jack Leslie (knee), Izak Rankine (hamstring), Josh Schoenfeld (ankle), Rory Thompson (knee), Harrison Wigg (knee), Aaron Young (ankle)
MVP
Touk Miller was one of the few shining lights for the Suns in Season 2018, with the midfielder cementing himself as one of the club's main drivers through the middle.
The 23-year-old topped the Suns' disposals and tackles tally across his 22 games for the year, coming second the the 2018 best and fairest behind Jarrod Harbrow.
Averaging 22 touches and just under six tackles per game, Miller's versatility and aggression will see him rise to prominence in 2019.
And with a contract extension tying him to Gold Coast until the end of 2022, Miller is in for the long haul.
BREAKOUT
A natural footballer and a tremendous athlete, Jack Lukosius is the player the Suns need to lock away for the long-term.
Taken with pick No. 2 in last year's National Draft, the dynamic forward is the injection of vigour Gold Coast so desperately craves.
With fellow draftee Izak Rankine sidelined for the next month at least, Lukosius has a golden opportunity to make a name for himself in the new-look forward line.
He won't serve as the Suns' key forward, but he'll be just as important.
UNDER THE PUMP
Since crossing over from Brisbane at the end of 2016, Pearce Hanley has struggled to find any consistency or flair which made him a unique asset for the Lions.
Restricted to just 16 games in his two years at the Suns through injury - with only three games played in 2018 - this season shapes as make-or-break for the Irishman.
If Hanley can get his body right, a spot may just be waiting for him.
But with the Suns intent on developing their youth and giving them as much game-time as possible, Hanley may continue to watch on from the sidelines.
EARLY PREDICTIONS...
1. The Suns will claim its second wooden spoon in 2019
2. Gold Coast's high-profile draftees will impress, but Jack Lukosius will be the pick of the bunch
3. Sam Collins will make the most of his opportunity and become one of the Suns' most important players given the absence of Rory Thompson
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