Open events heats start tomorrow (Thursday) and finish on Sunday. I can post times for events in the USA and UK later.
First place is automatically selected if they have the qualifier. The next 2 places are discretionary.
Live on Athletics Australia youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AthsAust/videos
In the distance events:
Women's 800:
NR holder Cat Bisset should go unchallenged, with the 2nd fastest girl this season, Linden Hall, focussing on 1500. Young guns Keely Small and Claudia Hollingsworth most likely challenges.
Brittany Kaan has multiple national titles and has been running consistently this summer
If Bisset does her standard front running she could drag some others under 2:00 for the first time
Men's 800:
Peter Bol has been the standout performer this season, hard to see him being beat.
NR holder Deng has had a rough season and isn't starting.
The rest of the podium seems wide open: Youngster Jack Lunn has had a good season. Can Mathews find form at the last minute? Jeff Risely is trying to turn back the clock.
Mason Cohen and Lachlan Raper should also feature.
Women's 1500:
Hard to see Linden Hall losing this. Sub 4 and sub 2 in recent weeks.
National 5km champion from a few weeks ago, Jenny Blundell, is in good form and made the 1500 team in Rio.
Georgia Griffith, on the comeback from injury, has only ran an 800 this season, but seems to be rounding into form well and should be right in the mix.
Keely Small is entered in both 800 and 1500 - would be a tough ask to start in both, but has a great kick and has been improving on the longer distance as she gets older and stronger.
Men's 1500:
Probably the most open event.
Stewy Mac makes his season debut over 1500.
Jye Edwards has had a phenomenal season, running a PB of 3:35 and staying unbeaten, taking down the likes of Ollie Hoare, Matt Ramsden, Jordy Williamsz, Ryan Gregson etc. all at some point
Matt Ramsden has been fastest in the domestic season with 3:34
Staples on the AUS team over the last few years Gregson and Williamsz have been gradually improving throughout the year and will need to show they're still relevant if they want to make the Tokyo team