The fans have spoken ahead of round one and they’ve selected three tall forwards and two ruckmen in the Gold Coast SUNS’ best 22 for 2015.

When fit, a tall-forward setup of Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon and Sam Day was a cornerstone of Gold Coast’s structure in 2014. Surround those three with the electrifying trio of Harley Bennell, Jack Martin and Brandon Matera and it becomes a fearsome unit capable of kicking big scores each week; and that's exactly what the fans have done.

One of the bigger debates of the pre-season is who owns the number one ruck mantle at Metricon Stadium. After a damaging performance against Geelong in the SUNS’ opening NAB Challenge game, Zac Smith takes those honours according to the fans.

However, his fellow ruckman Tom Nicholls also squeezed into the 22 on the interchange. Whether Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade heads down the path of choosing two ruckmen on Saturday is still to be seen, but Nicholls can rotate through the ruck and the forward line which is a valuable commodity given the unavailability of Dixon and Lynch this weekend.

Across the board, there were few other surprises.

Prized recruit Nick Malceski was the only player selected in every fan's team and forms a lethal rebounding backline alongside Trent McKenzie, Jarrod Harbrow and Kade Kolodjashnij. As expected, the key defensive posts will be taken by Steven May and Rory Thompson.

The first-choice midfield nearly picks itself with captain Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia and 2014 club champion David Swallow at the forefront. Add in 2013 Rising Star winner Jaeger O’Meara, the bullish Mitch Hallahan along with the run of Matt Shaw and the experience of Michael Rischitelli and Danny Stanley and the SUNS midfield brigade ticks all the boxes.

First year players Adam Saad and Touk Miller narrowly missed selection, as did shut-down defender Greg Broughton.

Highlighting the depth around Metricon Stadium this season is the fact that the likes of Jarrod Garlett, Daniel Gorringe, Aaron Hall, Sean Lemmens, Luke Russell, Alex Sexton and Seb Tape, many of whom have been regular senior players, also missed out on cracking the fans' best 22.

The GC SUNS round one team will be announced at 5:20pm AEST Thursday on goldcoastfc.com.au.

One lucky entrant in the A.S.A.P Glass Best 22 promotion will be drawn tomorrow to win a signed 2015 GC SUNS guernsey.