They haven't played the new and improved Gold Coast but Hawthorn have seen enough to know the heat will be on in their AFLW elimination final.
The Suns (9-3) will host the Hawks (7-5) after finishing fifth - they needed to win by just one more point last week to secure a maiden top-four berth - a season after collecting the wooden spoon.
A host of home-grown academy talents secured in the draft have transformed Rhyce Shaw's side, with rookie Ava Usher one of five Suns in the All-Australian squad announced on Thursday.
Hawthorn didn't play the Suns in preseason, or during this season, but know what they're in for on what's set to be a steamy Sunday afternoon in Carrara.
"Going from 18th to finishing where they have right now is really impressive," Hawks vice-captain Eliza West told AAP.
"They're clearly a much different side and we don't get a gauge of what they're like to play against.
"You can see what they can do when you watch them, but it's so different to actually being out there and playing them."
Hawthorn enter with confidence though, boasting the big scalp of North Melbourne earlier this year and stringing together wins in their last two games.
"It was just win one, lose one," West said.
"But we've been able to iron out those little things that have caused us not to perform and coming into finals feeling really good."
She identified Suns midfield bull Charlie Rowbottom, among the five All-Australian contenders, as an obvious key for the hosts.
Suns captain Lucy Single is confident they have the tools across the park to progress to a semi-final against the loser of North Melbourne and Carlton.
"Our brand of football will really challenge them," she said.
"Both teams will step up; it's finals footy, it's going to be a lot faster, the hits are going to be harder, but that's nothing we aren't ready for."
