A 119-point opening loss was bad enough.

But Jason Akermanis has warned Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett worse is still to come.

In fact, the three-time premiership player reckons Ablett will "hate" his first year at the helm of the AFL's 17th club.

Not that the outspoken ex-Brisbane Lion is revelling in the Suns' pain.

He has questioned their player recruitment - most of all their choice of Karmichael Hunt - but Akermanis is not giving up on the Gold Coast just yet.

"It's been one week, you can't write them off after one week against a top-eight side," he said after their nightmare debut against Carlton at the Gabba last Saturday night.

But Akermanis does have some ominous words of advice for fellow Brownlow Medallist Ablett.

"This will be his hardest year of footy, harder than his first one because there is more weight on his shoulders," he said on the Gold Coast on Friday.

"He's got to carry a whole midfield group ... that's almost an impossible task.

"It is unrealistic for Gaz (Ablett) but that's the pressure you take for being the marquee guy on the marquee money.

"He will find footy a lot easier in a few years - but he is going to hate it this year."

While not doubting Ablett's credentials, Akermanis said some of the Suns' other signings raised eyebrows.

"Some of them weren't good enough," he said.

"(Ex-Port player Nathan) Krakouer is not strong enough in the body yet so why pick him?

"(Jarrod) Harbrow is fantastic with the ball running forward but he is not a seasoned, solid, big-bodied player.

"I question some of the picks."

And Akermanis did not hold back when asked about code-hopper Hunt after his uninspiring debut last weekend in defence.

He said clubs would be better placed recruiting Gaelic footballers than luring rugby league players like Hunt.

"He's not going to get any sympathy from me because he took the money," Akermanis said of Hunt, reportedly on a $3 million, three-year deal.

"He doesn't fool anyone. And I will say it to his face - learn your craft, get into a specific position, show your worth by starting at the bottom and work your way to the top.

"There's nothing like hard work that will get respect.

"The AFL pays him, they see value in it - but I don't."

Akermanis added: "The Irish guys are way ahead - they have instinct.

"You look at him (Hunt) and he's like 'where's the ball coming from?'"

But Akermanis left his final barb for the team that sensationally dumped him last year - the Suns' Saturday opponents the Western Bulldogs.

"They (Dogs) should win because they are a better, bigger, more experienced side but it does not show how fragile they are," he said.

"Really what have they done (this season)?

"They got flogged by a side (Essendon) that should be where they are on the ladder.

"And when they win this weekend all they have done is beat the bottom two sides (after last week downing Brisbane Lions) - they have a lot of work to do."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP