The fierce struggle for team selection at Port Adelaide should drive an increase in competitiveness on the field in 2012, according to key forward Jay Schulz.

The Power’s second highest goal scorer in 2011 says supporters should see signs of the improved depth of talent when the club plays an internal trial at Alberton Oval from 5.30pm this Friday night.

With all but a handful of players completing most of pre-season, the squad will all be out to press their case for selection ahead of the NAB Cup opener on Sunday-week against Adelaide and Carlton at AAMI Stadium.

“It’s going to be competitive for spots and that’s the way it should be at any club,” Schulz said.

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“There’s going to be competition all over the ground. Our tall backs, our tall forwards, in the midfield. There are so many midfielders up and running around. So it’s going to be tough for spots everywhere. It’s great.

“It’s been a long and hard pre-season and everyone’s had a really good pre-season as most clubs do this time of the year. Everyone’s up and flying and eager to get out and test yourself.

“We hope as many supporters as possible get out (to Friday’s internal trial) because we’ve got lots of guys on the track and it’ll be really good for everyone to get out and see especially our young boys."

Chad Wingard (20) will make his debut after being taken at number six by the Power in the AFL National Draft. Brendon Ah Chee (41) and Nathan Blee (24) will also play in the trial, along with fellow recruits Brad Ebert (7), Brent Renouf (4), Darren Pfeiffer (31) and Danny Butcher (45).

“Ah Chee and Blee have had a little bit of time on the sidelines in rehab, but they’ve really come back into training the last month and they’re going well,” Schulz said. “And Wingy’s been there most of the time.

“It’s always exciting to see how they’re going to be in pressure situations and from what we’ve seen they’re looking really good and really sharp.”

Rookies Pfeiffer , Butcher, Tom Jonas, Jarrad Irons and Daniel Webb have plenty to play for, with the club looking to upgrade two to the senior list - one for the whole season and another to cover Cameron Hitchcock while he’s on the long-term injury list.

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26-year-old Schulz - who played 16 games in 2011, kicking 31 goals - says he is looking forward to another year in the leadership group, after being named this week in the Power’s reduced five-man team alongside Dom Cassisi (captain), Travis Boak (vice-captain), Jackson Trengove and the promoted Hamish Hartlett.

“I’m really excited about our leadership group,” Schulz said.

“Hamish has come in and to learn and he’s been fantastic on the track. He’s been absolutely amazing and his body is holding up which is good.

“There an even mix between mids, forwards and backs in the leadership group which I think is really important and we’ll all have our role to play, especially in our lines.

“It’s a great honour to be in there and it’s always nice to know that your peers think of you that way.”

Schulz and co-leader Trengove demonstrated the competitive spirit during training in December, with the pair separated by team-mates following a clash after a strong spoiling contest.

“That’s always the way me and Jacko train on each other,” Schulz said.

“It’s good. He’s competitive and I’m competitive and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re really good mates and we laughed about it afterwards.

“It’s in our nature and we wouldn’t be here playing if we weren’t that competitive.

“That’s the way the boys want to play and that’s the way we should play.

“Our competitiveness last year was so up and down that this pre-season it’s been such a massive factor for us and a massive key for us in pre-season.

“That’s why these things come about. I wouldn’t have it any other way and hopefully that will hold us in good stead to be more competitive throughout whole games.”

Entry to Friday Night Family Night at Alberton is free on Friday night, with the gates opening at 5pm and the trial starting at 5.30pm. The game will be played in two 25-minute halves and will be followed by an autograph signing session.