GOLD COAST coach Guy McKenna says Karmichael Hunt is as motivated as ever to succeed at AFL level despite not playing a senior game so far this season.  

Hunt is out of contract at season's end, and his future is again being questioned after spending the first six weeks of 2014 in the Suns' reserves team.

He has already been approached by NRL clubs to return to the game that made him famous, but McKenna said it was wrong to assume Hunt would leave the AFL.

"The fire in him is still there," McKenna said.

"As far as a source of motivation, he is one of the rare ones that is 98 per cent motivated. 

"The beauty about it is, the more we discuss is Karmichael in, is Karmichael out, you boys (the media) talking about it, it only stokes his fire. 

"Keep doing it if you like and make it your story if you wish it to be. It's not stopping him doing what he wants to do, and that's play AFL football at the highest level."

Hunt played 43 games in his first three seasons at the Suns, earning a reputation for as a solid midfielder/half-forward who does not take a backward step.

He has failed to play a senior game this year after a horror run of injuries.

Hunt suffered toe and hamstring injuries during the pre-season, had a bout of gastro prior to the NAB Challenge, and was then concussed in the reserves three weeks ago.

Hunt's form had been impressive in the twos and he was certain to play against Melbourne in round five before being concussed the previous week.

With Hunt's form not an issue, McKenna said he would now just have to regain match fitness before being considered to play seniors.

"I think it's a bit rough for people from afar to start spruiking up," McKenna said.

"When he kicked that goal (after the siren) against Richmond, people said 'he's made it, he's done this, he's done that', now all of a sudden people turn because it's easy, an easy thing to say, I don't think they're doing themselves justice.

"He can play.

"I just don't think we can lose sight of what he's achieved so far. There's no finishing line there. The race is still on."