GOLD Coast players have been put on notice following Sunday's record-breaking win over Hawthorn – back it up, or walk the selection tightrope.

While coach Rodney Eade will keep an unchanged lineup for Saturday night's trip to Etihad Stadium to take on Carlton, he said a poor showing against the Blues would not be tolerated. 

Although not expecting the same result as the club-record 86-point hiding of the Hawks, Eade said his team had now set a standard for effort and intent, and "selection comes into that". 

For the first time in his two-year tenure, Eade has almost an entire list to pick from, with just Sam Day (hip) and Michael Rischitelli (knee) unavailable. 

"If they (players) had a poor one against GWS, then everyone's form was good on the weekend, another poor one from certain players - whoever they are – that would be two out of three, so you're looking for some consistentcy," Eade said.

"We've now got some leverage at selection, the seconds have played well, we've got quite a few playrs available, so there's some players in good form in the NEAFL team and we'll reward that. 

"What you're looking for is the effort. Carlton are playing some pretty good footy." 

Eade said he was pleased with the Suns' short training session on Thursday, in which David Swallow proved he had overcome a corked quad by running at full pace.

Despite winning just two of 23 games away from Metricon Stadium during his time in charge – and none from nine in Victoria – Eade said travel was not an issue.

"We haven't spoken about that," he said. 

"There'd be a lot of stats that haven't been great the last two years, that wouldn't be the only one." 

Pearce Hanley will play half to three-quarters of a game in the NEAFL at the weekend after returning from Ireland on compassionate leave after the death of his brother Tommy.