No one is giving West Coast a chance this weekend, but Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick says the Suns must be prepared for a fight from the Eagles’ young guns.

The Eagles are the biggest Round 1 outsiders in more than a decade, currently at $16 underdogs as they travel to face the Suns fresh off their demolition job of grand finalists Geelong in Opening Round.

Despite their overwhelming favouritism, Hardwick said the Suns cannot afford to take the Eagles lightly, saying they will present a challenge on Sunday.

“Everyone will look at the odds, but what I do know is that Andrew McQualter has got a great system in place. The only KPI they didn’t win (in the AAMI Community Series) against Port Adelaide was on the scoreboard,” he said.

“Their system is very, very strong.

“We went through that with our playing group this morning and understand we’ve got to play our game to a high level, otherwise we’re going to get a disappointing result.”

West Coast have the youngest and least experienced side in the AFL, and will have four debutants this weekend, but Hardwick says their new recruits are not to be underestimated given the raw talent they possess.

“People will look at the youth but they’re very good young players. There’s a reason they got picked high in the draft, they can play the game,” he said.

“There’s a challenge there and we’ve got to make sure we’re up for it.”

The Eagles are without several of their first-choice defenders, with Brandon Starcevich, Liam Baker and Harry Edwards all missing the clash through suspension or injury.

Ben King kicked six goals in their last encounter and looms large once again, but Jed Walter is unlikely to feature despite being included in the extended squad, with Hardwick admitting he is unlikely to change the team that demolished the Cats.

It comes as Hardwick said they will not be rushing former No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan back into AFL action after his high-profile move in the off-season.

Having not played at all last year, Hardwick said Ugle-Hagan was “disappointed” with being overlooked for their first two games, but said his time will come.

“It’s more match fitness. He has missed a lot of footy,” he said.

“He wants to play and is keen to play and we’re keen to play him as well.

“As I said last week, we want to set him up for success. We’ve got to make sure when he’s ready to go, he’s ready to play out the full year.

“I see this guy as a long-term player for us.”