The measured approach mirrors a broader shift at Gold Coast. After years spent chasing credibility, the Suns now find themselves confronting something unfamiliar: expectation.
The AFL captains get ready for the 2026 season. Credit: Getty Images
“Expectations are high externally and they’re high internally,” Anderson said.
“It’s a new experience for me as captain and for our group to see that from the outside. We learned some really good lessons dealing with that pressure towards the end of last year.”
Gold Coast’s breakthrough finals appearance has altered the club’s internal standards, but Anderson said the focus had already moved beyond symbolic progress.
“The expectation of the group is that we keep improving,” he said.
“We want to go longer at the end of the year, play deeper in finals and ultimately get to the biggest stage. But we understand there’s still a lot in our game that needs improvement before we get there.”
While last season brought individual recognition for several Suns players, Anderson said personal accolades were irrelevant to what the group is chasing.
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“I’m not in the game for individual accolades and I don’t think Matt Rowell is either,” he said.
“I want to be pushing for premierships as captain. That’s what I want our group pushing for.
“We’ve been pretty bad for a long time and I’m pretty keen to have sustained success over a long period here.”
For Anderson, sustained success means building the type of consistency shown by clubs such as arch rivals Brisbane — sides that contend annually rather than briefly surge.
“Consistently competing at the top and having a clear identity and brand of football where teams know what they’re going to get from us — that’s the goal,” he said.
Confidence inside the club has been strengthened by major list additions, including star recruit Christian Petracca, whose arrival Anderson said shifted belief levels within the playing group.
“It was a cool experience bringing someone in of that level,” he said.
“He’s an amazing player who’s had an amazing career, and for him to want to join the club is huge for us.
Noah Anderson at the AFL’s annual captains’ day on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s helped the group believe we can really compete with the best. We showed signs of that last year beating some really good teams in big games.”
After several seasons spent narrowly missing finals, Anderson believes last year’s breakthrough removed a psychological barrier that had lingered within the group.
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“It always felt like we were close — probably closer than people thought — which was extremely frustrating,” he said.
“Last year was important to actually get through that hurdle, play finals and experience it. Now the expectation is to build from there.”
And while optimism around the Suns continues to grow, Anderson said the club’s immediate focus remains grounded — starting with ensuring players such as Ugle-Hagan feel supported enough to thrive again.
“Once that love for footy is there,” he said, “everything else can follow.”
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