The Marlins gained automatic promotion to the top grade after capturing the No.2 grade flag this year.

However, bowls manager Terry Antram says all places in top grade this season are up for grabs.

"We have named a squad of 24, but all players in the squad have been told that no one is guaranteed a No.1 grade spot," Antram said.

"Selection is going to be based on form throughout the season."

Antram said the Beresfield pre-season knockout tournament, in which Nelson Bay meet Wangi in an opening-round encounter on January 11, would provide those selected with an early opportunity to stake their claims.

"The match should give us a good indication where we are at because Wangi are in our same section in pennants," Antram said.

"Players will also know a good performance will give them an inside running towards a spot in No.1 grade.

"Therefore the match should help us to identify our strengths and at the same time show up our weaknesses."

Antram, Kiwi international Richard Girvan and Brian Bateman, who were the skippers in Nelson Bay's No.2 grade success this year, are the reigning NSW triples champions.

They are in the box seat to be the skippers again, but former NSW and South Australian representative Steve Green is likely to get an opportunity to push for a spot against Wangi.

Green, who was recently appointed assistant greenkeeper at Nelson Bay, is likely to play skipper against Wangi.

He is expected to fill the vacancy left by Bateman, who will be on holidays when the team is finally named after an internal trial at the club on January 9.

"Steve is a very experienced player who combined with Kevin Walsh to win a couple of NSW championships when they were both at St Johns Park," Antram said.

Green played with St Johns Park and Oak Flats before moving to South Australia about six years ago.

Although no player has been guaranteed a place, you could write your own ticket about either Girvan or Antram missing out.

Girvan is likely to be in the line-up when the New Zealand side for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October is named next month.

Antram is in the Silver Tier Australian squad and will play for Australia A in Cairns next month.