Gold Coast recruit Daniel Rioli is nearing a return to full fitness and Joel Jeffrey isn't kicking stones as the versatile Sun completes his latest reincarnation to accommodate him.
Rioli on Thursday wore a non-contact pink hat in training drills but sat out an intense intra-club hit-out that revealed some of coach Damien Hardwick's thinking ahead of their March 8 opener against Essendon.
Second-year small forward Jake Rogers and draftee Leo Lombard combined to relegate the hard-working Nick Holman to the second group.
Veteran David Swallow spent time with both teams while defender Charlie Ballard appeared to dust himself off after his lower leg and ankle were caught under an opponent in a tackle.
Sam Flanders was also a spectator, spending time on the stationary bike as he manages a back complaint.
Halfback Rioli (knee) could be back to regular training next week, while Lachie Weller and Wil Powell are fit and Collingwood recruit John Noble a Thursday standout in the backline.
That leaves Jeffrey in a crowded pack to play in the position he shifted successfully to last year under Hardwick, having previously been deployed by former coach Stuart Dew in the forward line.
He played 12 AFL games last year and between four and seven in each of his three seasons before that.
"It's going to be a tough competition, making the team. Everyone's firing," the fluent Darwin product said.
"It's an eye-opener, your first three years, going away in the off-season figuring out what to do to be better.
"This off-season I've bloody worked hard.
"It's going to be hot; you have to take that step forward and win that spot."
The 22-year-old was among the best players on Thursday in what was effectively the seconds team, but remains firmly in Hardwick's calculations for 2025.
"Last year I was more a rebounding defender, now I see myself as a hybrid," Jeffrey explained.
"My coaches have backed me to play tall and small, I'm confident in that and ready to go.
"I did a lot of speed stuff last year. This year I've concentrated on one-on-one contests, being stronger, beating the tall and small (forwards).
"Adding that contest side to my game will make me a better player."
