After filling in for injured captain Jarrod Witts during the pre-season, Zac Smith has put his hand up for senior selection with a dominant Marsh Community Series showing.

Smith was one of the best afield for the SUNS in the seven-point win over Adelaide on Friday afternoon, amassing 16 disposals, five marks and 39 hitouts.

Speaking to SUNS Media post-match, Smith said it was great to see another strong team performance heading in to the regular season.

“It was awesome, I just think our intent and pressure again from the get-go was fantastic,” Smith said.

“Obviously it ebbed and flowed throughout the game but throughout the entire match I thought it was pretty consistent.

“We were strong around the contest and our contested ball numbers were through the roof against a really good team so there are really positive signs heading into the season in a couple of weeks time.”

Recruited to provide support to Witts in the ruck department, Smith could find himself lining up in the centre for Round 1 if the SUNS skipper is unavailable with injury.

Even still, with Witts fit Smith still provides a serviceable option in the forward line should Dew opt to play the two ruckmen in tandem.

The 30-year-old came to the SUNS from Geelong in the off-season and says he’s feeling confident heading into his first season back on the Gold Coast.

“It’s obviously been a big pre-season and I’ve been slowly building up,” Smith said. 

“Today I played a little bit more than what I did last week and then the week before that so it was really good to get some more run in the legs.

“I’ve felt more comfortable because I’m fitter and am getting used to more game time so it’s a really positive step forward.”

The SUNS will have two weeks to prepare for the season opener against Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Saturday March 22.