Code leaper Karmichael Hunt will make his AFL debut for the Gold Coast Suns in their historic match against Carlton on Saturday night.

Suns coach Guy McKenna on Monday confirmed the rugby league convert would play against the Blues at the Gabba after "making every post a winner" in the pre-season.

McKenna rated Hunt his third-best defender behind former Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown and Adelaide recruit Nathan Bock.

The Gold Coast foundation coach said he was proud but not surprised of the improvement the former Brisbane Broncos and Australian Test fullback had made in his new sport.

"He's had some big jobs and played on talls and played on smalls ... and he's done a great job," McKenna said.

"And for all the naysayers out there, he's been picked on his merits, he's our third-best defender in the pre-season and he's got to play.

"I'm just so proud of the work he's put into himself and the coaches have put into him, how diligently he's gone about his business, how much he's taken on board.

"He's made every post a winner."

McKenna has instructed his fledgling team, which will contain a dozen AFL debutants, to embrace the buildup to their first match like a grand final week.

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