GEELONG superstar Joel Selwood says the Gold Coast were at the absolute peak of their powers when the Suns scorched the Cats in 2014.

And the triple premiership player has warned the AFL to brace itself as the Gold Coast will only get better.

The Suns smashed the Cats by 40 points in Round 14 at Metricon Stadium last season with Harley Bennell (six goals) and Gary Ablett (33 disposals) the chief destroyers in arguably the club’s most impressive victory in its four-year history.

The sides will meet again in the opening round of the NAB Cup at Townsville’s Tony Ireland Stadium on March 1.

The inspirational Geelong captain said the Gold Coast was an emerging powerhouse.

“That was the best they’ve ever been when we ran into them last season … they were awesome that night,’’ Selwood said.

“I remember being in the middle of the ground and watching their ruckmen hitting it down the throat of guys like Gary (Ablett), Harley (Bennell) and David Swallow all night.

“They are going to be a very, very good side.

“They are coming and they are coming really fast.

“The AFL world knows it too.’’ Selwood said it was realistic to consider the Suns as finals contenders in 2015.

“I can definitely see them being contenders. I can see them playing finals for sure especially with a leader like Gary,’’ he said.

“If they can keep their best players fit, they will be very hard to beat next year.’’ There is genuine excitement at Carrara with the full playing list set to report for the start of pre-season training on Monday.

The arrival of new senior coach Rodney Eade has brought a new approach to pre-season training which the club’s first to fourth year players have revelled in for the past few weeks.

The greater emphasis on ballwork has been a breath of fresh air for the Suns players who yearned for more focus on skill development.

The Suns also recruited astutely in the off-season with All-Australian defender Nick Malceski and Hawthorn midfielder Mitch Hallahan set to fill important holes in the Gold Coast’s first-choice 22 Selwood will be part of the Australian side for next Saturday’s International Rules Test against Ireland at Perth’s Patersons Stadium.

The Australian side goes into camp in Sydney this weekend.

Originally published as Selwood: Suns are coming, really fast