GOLD Coast tall forwards Sam Day and Peter Wright are fighting to cement a spot alongside Suns' star Tom Lynch for round one when they play against Adelaide on Friday night.
The two talented big men have played in both weeks of the NAB Challenge, and will be among a bunch of Suns looking to stake their claims against the Crows.
While Suns coach Rodney Eade is understood to be open to playing the three big men together – as they did against the Brisbane Lions in the first week of the NAB Challenge – the most likely option is to have one player partner Lynch.
Eade spoke on Thursday about the Suns' selection quandaries, with half a dozen spots still up for grabs for the round one clash against Essendon.
"The form tomorrow night will be really vital on our selection process for round one," Eade said.
Wright, the 203cm 19-year-old, played three games last season in his first year at the club, while the 196cm Day has played 78 games since making his debut in 2011.
Wright is good aerobically, while Day is quicker and has a well developed defensive game.
Both are capable in the ruck and would be expected to play as a back-up ruckman to support Tom Nicholls.
Eade said he was happy to go into Friday night's game with many questions unresolved.
"I think it is good we have got selection issues," Eade said.
"I think it is good that players are on edge and they need to perform."
The battle between Day and Wright is one replicated at many clubs across the competition as they look for a forward foil to support their number one man.
Collingwood is likely to use Darcy Moore to support Travis Cloke, but both Corey Gault and Mason Cox are rookies in line to be upgraded to play that role in round one.
At the Western Bulldogs, Tom Boyd and Jack Redpath are equally ranked at this stage of their career, with coach Luke Beveridge saying he was relatively happy with how they combined against Melbourne last Sunday.
With Chris Dawes sidelined through injury, Melbourne is looking at whether Cameron Pedersen or Sam Frost sit alongside Jesse Hogan inside 50.
Frost is still learning how to get into dangerous positions to attract opposition key defenders, but he has impressed coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin so far.
"Sam doesn't get a lot of the ball but he offers some different skills to our forward line which is very important to us," Goodwin said.
"It's weird in a way. He doesn't contribute on the scoreboard as much but he certainly brings something to our team which is of benefit."
With Hogan an absentee last Sunday, Frost was the leading target against the Bulldogs, with teammates going to him seven times for a return of 1.2.
Second tall battles
Collingwood: Corey Gault, Darcy Moore or Mason Cox alongside Travis Cloke
Geelong: Nathan Vardy, Mitch Clark or Shane Kersten alongside Tom Hawkins
Gold Coast: Sam Day or Peter Wright alongside Tom Lynch
GWS: James Stewart or Jonathan Patton alongside Jeremy Cameron
Melbourne: Sam Frost, Chris Dawes or Cam Pedersen alongside Jesse Hogan
North Melbourne: Aaron Black, Jarrad Waite or Ben Brown alongside Drew Petrie
Port Adelaide: Charlie Dixon or John Butcher alongside Jay Schulz
Richmond: Ty Vickery or Ben Griffiths alongside Jack Riewoldt
St Kilda: Josh Bruce or Paddy McCartin alongside Nick Riewoldt
