JOSH HALL has represented Australia at high jump, but the Gold Coast forward is hoping 2015 will bring the biggest leap of his sporting career.

The 24-year-old from Townsville is now in his fourth full season since switching sports in 2011 and knows it's time to start making the jump from potential to performance.

With Charlie Dixon (ankle) already ruled out for the start of the season, and Sam Day (calf) still to return from injury, Hall knows there's a spot up for grabs ahead of round one.

He made a good fist of things against Geelong in front of his home crowd in Sunday's NAB Challenge opener.

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Pitted against veteran Cat Tom Lonergan for most of the day, Hall worked himself to a standstill and kicked a crucial goal late in the fourth quarter to give the Suns a lead they would not relinquish.

After three years on the rookie list, Hall has been elevated to the seniors and said it was time to step up accordingly.

"For me, I've got the talent, but I'm a confidence player," Hall said.

"When my confidence is high I'm leaping for everything and my work-rate is high, and when I don't feel like I fit in, I go into my shell a bit.

"I've been working on that pre-season with (forwards coach) Ash Prescott and (NEAFL coach) Josh Fraser."

Hall won a bronze medal at the 2007 World Youth Championships for high jump, and has a soaring personal best of 2.26m – just 2cm off qualifying for the London Olympics.

In humid and slippery conditions against the Cats, he came down with just three marks and kicked 1.1 (with another set shot failing to score), but split packs on a number of occasions with his attack on the ball in the air.

With five games to his name, Hall's aim is simple.

"My goal for this season was to (leapfrog) one of the big three - Dixon, (Tom) Lynch and Day," he said.

"If I can crack that, that's my goal. If that doesn't eventuate I can play a team role, I just want to play AFL footy, I'll do whatever.

"Hopefully I took a step forward yesterday and I've just got to stay consistent and keep that confidence up."