KARMICHAEL Hunt is still in Gold Coast's best team when fully fit, which is not far away, says Suns coach Guy McKenna.
Hunt has played two strong games in the reserves after a disrupted pre-season due to a toe injury, but was still unable to force his way into Saturday's team against Hawthorn despite the absence of the suspended Brandon Matera.
Utility Jack Hutchins was favoured at the selection table, but McKenna said that was no indication of Hunt sliding down the pecking order.
"We always thought he just needed another run and this (weekend) is the run," McKenna said.
"The fantastic news is he's fitter and his games… have been very good."
Two weeks ago Hunt kicked three goals as a half-forward in the NEAFL, and last week against the Brisbane Lions reserves, he had 19 disposals, six clearances and a goal.
McKenna said it was pointless re-introducing Hunt to senior footy as a substitute, as fitness was the only thing missing for him to return.
He hinted the 27-year-old could come back to the starting 22 as soon as the round five match against Melbourne at the MCG.
"We think another week and then he's right to go," McKenna said.
"Two weeks ago, if he was 100 per cent fit, he would have probably played, based on his form. I can't put him out there at 80 per cent.
"Given he had an interrupted post-Christmas, we've been fairly methodical to set him up to succeed, not to fail."
Gold Coast had a light final run at Metricon Stadium on Friday ahead of its match-up with the reigning premier.
McKenna said it was a great opportunity to mark the progress of his team that had started the season 2-1.
"We don't talk about honourable losses, we talk about taking them on," he said.
"We're probably going to have to find another gear against Hawthorn but I think we're ready for that step.
"Mentally and physically we're in a good shape to take on the premiers from last year, so let's take them on."
Meanwhile Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Metricon Stadium could see the next chapter in the storied Ablett versus Langford rivalry.
Clarkson said young gun Will Langford is a strong chance to play on Suns skipper Gary Ablett in the round four clash.
"We'll just have to wait and see," Clarkson told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Friday.
"They'll probably be opposed to each other at different stages because Will's played some roles for us through the middle of the ground in the first few games of the season."
But Clarkson said the Hawks can't get sucked in by only focusing on Ablett, given the Suns' developing midfield brigade including Dion Prestia, David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara.
"We can't just throw all our attention into one guy, in actual fact we'll try and spread it across all six or seven of them who go through that part of the ground," he said.
