The AFL's highest-profile recruit, Karmichael Hunt, was only getting a game this week with the Gold Coast Suns because of who he is - a well-known rugby-league convert - rather than what he brings to the side.

That's the opinion of Wayne Carey, dual premiership captain with North Melbourne and AFL Hall of Famer, who made the claim in his weekly Vidcast with BackPageLead.

Speaking on Tuesday, Carey said if the Suns continued to play Hunt this season when his form didn't warrant it, a situation could even arise where young players not being picked might become disgruntled and a rift could develop within the club.

''If it was anyone else, he wouldn't be getting a game,'' Carey said. ''I don't think he's done enough. I haven't seen him get any more than 15 possessions in a match yet.

''If he's goes in there purely to negate someone as a defender, and he does that, is that good enough in today's footy to justify his position? That might have been the case 10 years ago, but not any more.

''OK, if you're a negator on-ball, say, and you cut Chris Judd out of the game, you're also expected to get a fair bit of the ball yourself. Down in defence, that's where the drive comes from - so you've got to get a bit of the ball yourself.

''I'm just not sure Gold Coast will be switching play across the field to Karmichael Hunt through the corridor and expecting Karmichael to pinpoint a pass through the midfield.

''Yes, he is a long-term project but you have to earn your spot. At the moment, I'm not sure he's up to playing in their team - but we'll see.''

Carey, a former Gold Coast resident, acknowledged that he hadn't seen every one of the Suns' practice matches, and was making a judgment away from the inner sanctum.

Hunt, 24, was a decorated rugby league player with the Brisbane Broncos and also an Australian international. Last year, he switched codes and played top-grade rugby union in France. He signed a three-year deal with Gold Coast, beginning this year.

Of the possibility of unrest within the club if Hunt's selection does keep talented youngsters out of the team, Carey said: ''What it will do eventually is that other talented players who've been playing the game their whole life will see Karmichael getting a game ahead of them, and they'll say: this bloke can't kick left foot, and he can't handball or mark as well as me. That could cause a rift.''

Gold Coast play Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night in their first AFL home-and-away match.