Best 22
B: Greg Broughton, Steven May, Trent McKenzie
HB: Jarrod Harbrow, Rory Thompson, Nick Malceski
C: Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow, Kade Kolodjashnij
HF: Jack Martin, Tom Lynch, Harley Bennell
F: Touk Miller, Charlie Dixon, Brandon Matera
Foll: Tom Nicholls, Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia
I/C: Mitch Hallahan, Michael Rischitelli, Alex Sexton
Sub: Jarrod Garlett

Health of the list
It certainly hasn't been the smoothest of summers for the Suns, but aside from Dixon (ankle) and Lynch (suspended), everyone else should be available for round one. There's a question mark over Ablett and his shoulder, but the skipper is fitter than he's ever been, while O'Meara is also racing the clock after radical off-season knee surgery. May, Thompson and Prestia have all had disruptions, but now have matches under their belt and will be fine to go.

The big questions
Can the Suns win without Ablett? After failing dismally when the skipper went down last season, this question will continue to haunt the Suns until they prove otherwise. With new recruits and an ever-maturing list, there are no more excuses should Ablett miss matches. 

Do they have enough depth should May or Thompson get injured? They are two of the most talented young key defenders in the League, but there's not a lot behind them. Sam Day has trained in defence during the pre-season, while Jack Leslie and Henry Schade are closing the gap, but still a little way off the lofty standard of the two first-choice backmen.

Can the Suns win on the road? It's not yet a fortress, but Metricon Stadium is becoming a genuine home ground advantage for the Suns, who won seven of their 11 matches there in 2014. However, to make the finals, they need to win more than last year's three matches on the road. Tigers at home and kittens on the road just doesn't cut it.

Summer standout: Zac Smith
After an ACL injury in 2013 and ankle injury late in 2014 stalled his promising career, Smith has hit the training track hard this pre-season. When all of the Suns' talls are available, he is locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Tom Nicholls for the top rucking job, but Smith started the NAB Challenge with a bang and has done everything possible to impress new coach Rodney Eade.

Fantasy cash cow: Jack Martin
After dislocating his shoulder in round one last season, Martin was always going to take time to find his feet on return. With a full pre-season behind him and priced at just $285,000, his value should jump rapidly as he switches between half-forward and the occasional midfield stint.

Sudden impact: Mitch Hallahan
Free agent signing Nick Malceski is the safe option here, and there's no doubt the Swans premiership player will make a major contribution at his new club. But Hallahan could sneak under the radar and be even more valuable. Not only is he expected to win his own share of clearances, but also free up Ablett, Swallow and O'Meara to be more destructive on the outside.

After four seasons it's time for Sam Day to stand up. Picture: AFL Media

It's crunch time for …
We all know big forwards take longer to develop, but now entering his fifth season, Sam Day has to step up. He has all the physical tools and has shown with four-goal hauls against the Lions and Magpies that he is good enough. He may spend some time in defence, but whichever end he finds himself, Day has to have an impact or he could quickly slide back to the NEAFL. 

Pivotal match
All things being equal, the Suns should be in reasonable shape by their round-nine meeting with Hawthorn, with a friendly early draw that includes just one 2014 finals opponent in the first eight weeks. They played the premier twice last year and were humbled both times, so this represents a chance to show just whether the Suns have made the necessary progress to be considered genuine finals contenders.

The Gold Coast will have a good year if…
Their skills improve and they embrace Eade's new game-plan. With so much talent on their list, it's almost a crime how often the Suns turn the ball over, but if they play quick – as Eade wants – and hit their targets, they're a frightening proposition. If the key position players stay healthy, that would also go a long way towards a successful season.

AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: 7th
Premiership clock: Only a few hours away and racing towards midnight.