When a current AFL captain and triple premiership player makes a statement, footy fans generally take notice, and it’s the opinion of Geelong star Joel Selwood that the only direction the Gold Coast SUNS are headed is up.

Selwood and his team had front-row seats to the Harley Bennell show in round 14 when the SUNS dismantled the Cats to the tune of 40 points at Metricon Stadium.

Bennell kicked six goals, skipper Gary Ablett had 33 possessions and Gold Coast looked unstoppable against the perennial AFL powerhouse, booting 12 goals to Geelong’s five after half-time in arguably the team’s most impressive victory in its short history.

That defeat – Geelong’s first against Gold Coast – left a lasting impression on the Cats skipper.

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

“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.”

The Geelong captain knows SUNS skipper Gary Ablett well, playing four seasons alongside him at the Cattery and sharing in two premiership successes.

With ‘Gaz’ back on board to lead the SUNS in 2015, Selwood believes September action is on the cards for a team entering its fifth AFL season.

“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.”