FOR THE first time in years, the Brisbane Lions have some pleasant selection dilemmas ahead of round one.
With two wins from two in the NAB Challenge, they have a number of players in form and pushing to be in the final 22 against Collingwood at the Gabba on April 4.
With the off-season recruitment of Dayne Beams, Mitch Robinson and Allen Christensen, who should play the final NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast next week after recovering from back surgery, the squeeze is on.
First-year players Liam Dawson and Jaden McGrath have pleasantly surprised the coaches, which all adds up to a congested midfield and half-forward line.
Midfielder Jack Redden says with the premiership season fast approaching, he can feel the competition for places hotting up.
He missed the final eight weeks of 2014 with an ankle injury, and with a centre square boasting Beams, captain Tom Rockliff, Dayne Zorko and James Aish, Redden knows it's tight for spots.
"No-one is guaranteed and everyone is pushing," he said.
"It's tough for spots, and selection for that first game is going to be tough for the coaches.
"I think it's good, it gets the best out of us and we're all pushing each other to get better as a team."
Coach Justin Leppitsch admitted after the first pre-season win over St Kilda that he was having trouble juggling the extra midfielders now at his disposal.
He mentioned Redden as one player he hadn't given enough time to, but rectified that against the Swans.
"The longer the quarters drag out, I'll get time in there," Redden said.
"Beamsy has come in, Zorks has come in there, but you need as many mids as you can to keep fresh and keep that speed around the stoppages.
"I'll get my chances in there."
Redden said despite the Swans being undermanned last week – and it being their first match - the Lions' midfield could take some confidence from their performance.
The Lions' won both the clearances and contested ball against a midfield that boasted Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery.
Jack Redden is a $598,000 midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy this year. Set up a live draft and take on your mates in Fantasy Elite now
