Picking a best side for round one is always a difficult task within a footy club, with varying opinions and philosophies coming to the selection table.

Do you throw your youngsters into the heat of the battle from day dot, or do you opt for experience and bigger bodies? How do you structure up; do you opt for an additional tall for cover or go for the extra runner?

goldcoastfc.com.au asked members of the SUNS BigFooty Community to put forward their best 22 for round one and based on their submissions, have narrowed it down to the following side to face the Brisbane Lions on Saturday March 25 if they were in charge.

Fans Best 22

B: J. Joyce, R. Thompson, A. Saad
HB: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, P. Hanley
C: D. Swallow, M. Barlow, M. Rosa
HF: J. Martin, T. Lynch, A. Sexton
F: C. Ah Chee, P. Wright, G. Ablett
FOLL: J. Witts, T. Miller, A. Hall
INT: J. Lyons, J. Lonergan, B. Fiorini, J. Bowes
EMG: S. Lemmens

The BigFooty selectors were unanimous in unleashing dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett up forward against the Lions, with Callum Ah Chee getting the nod as the other small forward at the feet of Tom Lynch and Peter Wright.

There was no room for No. 4 draft pick Ben Ainsworth in the side with Ablett starting as a forward, despite the Gippsland Power product impressing during the JLT Series.

“I tried to avoid using any first year players and went with hardened bodies instead. The only first-year player I included was [Jack] Bowes, looked good off the half-back line over pre-season,” wrote Keegan Best.

“If [Ben] Ainsworth wasn't coming off with pneumonia I probably could have found a spot for him instead of probably [Callum] Ah Chee, but I want experience early on.

“[Gary] Ablett playing in the forward line to create an additional threat, not as heavily needed in the midfield. But if we need an injection from The Little Master, he can go in the middle.”

The biggest dilemma for the fan selectors was where to start the versatile duo of Pearce Hanley and Alex Sexton. Hanley is slated to rotate through the middle, on a wing and off a half back flank, while Sexton will start forward.

Along with Hanley, fellow recruits Michael Barlow (centre), Jarrod Witts (ruck) and Jarryd Lyons (interchange) will make their SUNS debuts while Bowes is the only member of last year’s draft crop handed a round one berth.

Sean Lemmens was named as the first emergency, with Jesse Joyce and Adam Saad locking down the small defender positions and Kade Kolodjashnij, Bowes and Hanley to spend time in the defensive half as well.