Rodney Eade has an unusual problem heading into this year's JLT Community Series – almost an entire list to pick from.
Eade's two seasons at Gold Coast have been dogged by long-term injuries to key personnel, but ahead of Sunday's pre-season opener against the Brisbane Lions, the SUNS list is healthy.
The veteran coach said the benefits were two-fold – he could implement his preferred game-plan straight away, and there was also up to eight spots still undecided in his best 22.
Aside from Michael Rischitelli (ACL), every player is expected to be available for round one, including former skipper Gary Ablett (shoulder) who began contact work this week and will play the final pre-season match.
"Our game-plan last year changed a bit, even during the year, depending on personnel," Eade said on Friday morning.
"We had to cut our cloth to what we had available.
"If we've got a reasonably full complement of players, you'll see us play a little bit differently, the way we'd hoped to play in the past but we weren't able to at times."
Peter Wright (finger), Alex Sexton (wrist), Jarryd Lyons (Achilles) and Trent McKenzie (Baker's cyst) will all miss against the Lions but play the following week against Essendon.
Eade said he wasn't worried about the result on Sunday, but more on individuals jockeying for positions ahead of round one.
"I haven't counted how many spots, but there'd be at least half a dozen, probably eight up for grabs," he said.
The SUNS will unveil draftees Ben Ainsworth, Will Brodie and Jack Bowes against the Lions, while off-season acquisition Pearce Hanley will play his former club alongside fellow recruits Michael Barlow and Jarrod Witts.
David Swallow will play half a game, his first senior hit-out in 18 months after persistent knee problems.
