IT is always tough to predict selection for the first round of a premiership season.

For four games has Port Adelaide tested, trialled and experimented with its lineup ahead of the season proper which starts this Sunday at the MCG against Melbourne.

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With an almost injury-free list there is a massive competition for spots.

Ken Hinkley is on record as saying around 30 players will be in contention around the selection table.

While the usual suspects like Travis Boak, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett and Matthew Broadbent having excellent runs in the pre-season a number of new faces have also stood out.

Each of Campbell Heath, Lewis Stevenson, Jake Neade and Angus Monfries (trade recruits) and Oliver Wines and Sam Colquhoun (draft) have been impressive.

In that spirit, here is portadelaidefc.com.au's prediction for the Power's Round 1 team:

B: Campbell Heath, Alipate Carlile, Tom Jonas
HB: Jasper Pittard, Jackson Trengove, Lewis Stevenson
C: Kane Cornes: Matthew Broadbent, Hamish Hartlett
HF: Angus Monfries, Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart
F: Jake Neade, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Ruck: Jarrad Redden, Brad Ebert, Travis Boak
Interchange: Matthew Lobbe, Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore
Substitute: Kane Mitchell
Emergencies: Aaron Young, Sam Colquhoun, Cameron O'Shea

Honourable mentions to Colquhoun, Aaron Young, Cameron O'Shea, Brett Ebert and Jack Hombsch - all of whom have been thereabouts on the track during the pre-season; the latter two having been hampered by injury late.

At Melbourne, a number of players are candidates to return to the Demons side.

Co-captain Jack Trengove, forward Mitch Clark, Max Gawn, Chris Dawes and Jack Fitzpatrick will all be given fitness test at Melbourne training this week.

Ex-Power midfielder David Rodan and high profile draft picks Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas will also be around the mark for selection.

It bodes well for a cracking opener to the season with several experienced heads and some talented youngsters all a chance to play for both sides.

portadelaidefc.com.au will have the complete squad online first at 5:55pm tomorrow night.