Hawthorn might as well forget about stopping Gary Ablett on Saturday night, Hawks midfielder Isaac Smith says.

The reigning Brownlow medallist has been at his mercurial best again this season and drove Gold Coast to a 53-point demolition of the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium at the weekend.

Ablett notched up 38 disposals and booted three goals on his way to a second Marcus Ashcroft Medal in the QClash, and he looms as the unbeaten Hawks' biggest stumbling block when they travel to Metricon Stadium.

Asked what Hawthorn can do to restrict the mercurial skipper's influence, Smith replied: "You just don't let him get the footy, I don't know how you do that.

"I think what you've got to do is stop his impact when he gets it, but he's going to get the footy so I think you've just got to cop that a little bit."

Although Ablett is still clearly the No.1 player at Gold Coast – and indeed the competition in most people's eyes – he is now supported by a group of rising Suns who are growing in stature by the week.

Dion Prestia, last year's NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow and Harley Bennell are among the next wave of Gold Coast on-ballers causing headaches for their opponents.

"Their midfield's quality, but they've got good players all over the ground; it's actually really good to see them playing well at the moment," Smith said.

Despite their continuing improvement and unique home ground advantage, the Suns have the toughest task in football ahead of them.

The reigning premiers dismantled Fremantle by 58 points in last Friday night's Grand Final rematch – even without at least five of their best 22.

The Hawks are likely to welcome back skipper Luke Hodge (groin) in round four, while there's a host of other players fighting for a spot.