STUART Dew has laid out just why Gold Coast's towering forward Peter Wright can't get a game for the Suns.

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After playing 66 games in his first five seasons, the former number eight draft pick is yet to play in 2020.

The Suns have gone with a two-pronged forward line, with young star Ben King and rejuvenated Sam Day filling the key position spots.

It's left the healthy Wright biding his time, playing reserves matches and trying to impress.

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Dew said 'Two-Metre Peter' had to improve his form to get a senior berth, but there was also another tricky balancing act at play.

"He's been a little bit up and down," Dew said.

"It's an interesting role the key forward and ruckmen in the reserves, because they're constantly on (senior) standby, particularly with the condensed schedule." 

Wright travelled with the Suns when they played Geelong and then hubbed in Wollongong for matches against Melbourne and Sydney, leaving him without a game for three weeks.

Dew said as a result the 23-year-old had played a bit less footy than Gold Coast would ideally like.

"He hasn't been able to force his way in through performance, but also himself and Zac Smith have been managed because just in case (they're needed for seniors).

"It's that constant balance.

"We play tomorrow night, our reserves play Saturday and we play Monday.

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"If they play Saturday, it cancels them out.

"We'd expect if we called on Pete that he'd perform, but it's been a different mix for those tall guys in the reserves."

One key position player that made his way back through the reserves last week was fullback Rory Thompson.

The inaugural Sun played his first game in almost two years after rupturing his ACL and then undergoing another small surgery on his opposite knee.

"He played around 40 minutes, but in an AFL game he's going to be playing 90-100," Dew said.

"We'll step it up a little bit on Saturday and map it out from there. 

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"What we did see in the 40 minutes was very pleasing. It was good to have him out there.

"We're watching him with keen eyes because we'll be a better side when Rory's in."