THE Gold Coast Suns greatest signing of the off-season isn’t a player but development manager Max Rooke.

The two-time Geelong premiership winner is part of an overhaul of the Suns’ football department designed to fix on and off-field practices and standards after a disastrous season marred by injuries and scandal.

Rooke has a history of helping to turn a battling team into flag contenders.

He was a player at Geelong when a tumultuous 2006 season led to a review of the culture problems that had put pressure on then coach Mark Thompson’s position.

It resulted in a premiership in 2007 for the Cats and while Rooke said the Suns possess a younger list, he could see the similarities with what the Gold Coast were building.

“When I first started playing at Geelong we weren’t a very respected club,” Rooke said. “We had a fair bit of talent on the list and were a nice club but I don’t think anyone respected us for the way we played footy.

“We went through it all so I feel like I have been through a club that is trying to find its way and went from disaster to the ultimate success.

“There are a few similarities between the two clubs like getting the culture and team stuff right and that’s where it changed for us.

“I haven’t been here long but I can already tell the players are eager to learn and very professional.”

Rooke retired in 2010 and has spent the past five years as Geelong’s development manager.

Gary Ablett’s former teammate pointed to the club’s decision to severe ties with controversial figures Charlie Dixon and Harley Bennell as an example of the Suns’ forward thinking.

“When I met with ‘Rocket’ (coach Rodney Eade) and Marcus (Ashcroft) I could see they were on the right track,” Rooke said.

“What they did with Harley and Charlie was a pretty big statement to make.

‘‘That was brave and that was what impressed me most about the club, that they were willing to make tough calls and stand up for what they believe in.”

Rooke said he did not expect the same immediate turnaround in success at the Suns because of the relatively young age of the squad but was confident of improvement next season.

“With their young bodies they are maybe not fully ready to cover the ground yet,” Rooke said.

“It just takes some time to get them to that stage and a lot now is about educating players and giving them every chance to get it right.

“I can see there is going to be a fair bit of improvement next year but I wouldn’t imagine we are just going to skyrocket into finals contention.

“I would have thought it would be a gradual process over a couple of years.”