A week out from their opening match of the 2013 season and there is increased competition for starting spots with GC SUNS assistant coach Mark Riley saying there was a little extra intensity in today’s on field training session as many of the squads players made final bid for first team selection.

Speaking exclusively with goldcoastfc.com.au, Riley said the GC SUNS coaching staff anticipated a tough match committee meeting next week with  a number of players producing solid form throughout the NAB Cup tournament.

“We’ve got a strong and healthy contingent coming into Round 1, making competition for spots is always very healthy,” said Riley.

"Our guys have had a solid NAB Cup campaign, and have done a lot of match simulation in training as well, so all goes well for picking a strong team versing St. Kilda.”

With his coaching role primarily fixed around developing the club’s rising forward-line, Riley said it was pleasing to see the side’s key tall forwards beginning to show signs their ready for a break-out year in the national competition after producing strong pre-season campaigns.

“Sam Day, who had worked very hard for the first couple of games but was finding it hard to find the football, has become mark-able in the last couple of weeks so that’s very pleasing,” Riley said.

“Steven May is really hitting his contest hard, didn’t quite glove them last week but that’ll come, while Dixon was a real highlight in that third quarter against the Saints where we just wacked it in there long and strong and he played with some real big man presence, so I was very impressed with that as well.”

But it has been the rise of Tasmanian speedster Aaron Hall over the pre-season that has Riley most excited heading into the 2013 AFL Season.

“The highlight for me this pre-season has though has been more Aaron Hall’s consistency not only with the ball but also his defensive pressure has been absolutely outstanding,” said Riley.

“Now we’ve just  got to just get the mix right with our structures, our many talls and smalls forwards and in how we play. How many midfielders play in the forward-line and push up the ground, all structural changes we have to consider depending on the opposition we face.”

With towering ruckman Zac Smith, Daniel Gorringe and Charlie Dixon all having played minuted through the middle of the ground this summer, Riley said the key ruck position was still up for grabs.

“All three have played significant roles but not the consistent basis that we’re searching for,” Riley said.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we’ve seen subtle improvements but we’ve got plenty of improvement left in us.”