Stawell Gift favourites Matthew Rizzo and Toea Wisil have showcased their form with big statements in Saturday's heats.
Rizzo posted the fastest time with his heat win and Wisil won off scratch to prove she is the woman to beat.
After reaching last year's final, Rizzo is the favourite this year and he posted a time of 12.10 seconds off 7.5m for the 120m.
"I'm stoked, I didn't know what form I was in," Rizzo said.
"I just wanted to get the first one out of the way.
"Now I've got a ticket for Monday so it's good."
The three favourites ahead of Monday's semi-finals and final are Rizzo, Nathan Riali and Will Roberts after their heat wins.
Defending champion Isaac Dunmall also won his heat but Mitch Williams-Swain, the 2011 winner, finished fourth in his heat and did not progress.
Wisil, from Papua New Guinea, had the fourth-fastest winning time of 13.84 seconds among the 17 women's heats, despite her scratch mark.
It comes a fortnight after Wisil won the Australian 100m title, beating Melissa Breen in the final.
Breen progressed to the semis after finishing second in her heat.
The three quickest times of the day all came from the final heat, headed by Wantirna athlete Taylah Perry in 13.69 seconds.
The 21-year-old finished just in front of world junior representative Maddie Coates and 16-year-old Liv Ryan.
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