His players might disagree, but new Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew wishes the pre-season went for longer.

In his first season of coaching, Dew has spent his first three months in the job building relationships and getting to know his players' tendencies. 

Dew said he was still none the wiser as to who would make up his best team.

"I'm still getting there, it takes time," he said. 

"I feel like the pre-season is going really fast.

"I'd love to have more time to get to know them before we get to games, but having said that, things stand out and you form opinions and assessments.

"Because there's a full list (training), it's quite hard and so much will happen between now and then (round one).

"I try not to waste too much time on it because things change in one or two days.

"I'd like it to be as hard as possible come round one."

One player that will certainly be in Gold Coast's best team is Irishman Pearce Hanley, who completed his first main training session since breaking his hand in the International Rules Series.

Hanley was restricted to running and some light kicking prior to Christmas, but was back in the thick of the two-hour session at Carrara on Thursday.

"He could have come back in before Christmas, but knowing we had that extra break, we thought we'd play it safe," Dew said.

"He's in good condition and I look forward to working with him in the ball skills, he's a great decision-maker."

With Hanley back, it leaves just Adelaide recruit Harrison Wigg (ankle) and small forward Callum Ah Chee (broken hand) sidelined, although the latter's injury is not too serious.