The light at the end of the tunnel is glowing brighter for Gold Coast SUNS, proud coach Guy McKenna said after his team's upset win over Collingwood on Saturday night.

The SUNS took the biggest scalp of their 60-game existence with a seven-point victory over the Magpies at Metricon Stadium.

It was the 12th win in their history and first against a top-eight team.

It was built on parity with the strong Magpies midfield and more efficient ball use in the forward half.

Since losing their first 14 games in 2012, the Suns have now won nine of their past 24 matches.

McKenna was delighted but reserved about the result and said the most important thing for Gold Coast was to back it up against Carlton next week.

"To know we've beaten a side of that quality, it's good reward for the boys' efforts over the season so far," McKenna said.

"You do that against a good side like Collingwood, it's an injection of confidence and belief.

"That light that was at the end of the tunnel that we couldn't see for two-and-a-half years is now glowing brighter.

"It's not in our face yet but it's glowing brighter. We keep working hard and we get there quicker."

On match-eve, McKenna said his midfield would test Collingwood's ability to run both ways and that's how it panned out.

He was full of praise for ruckman Tom Nicholls – last week's NAB AFL Rising Star nominee – for his service to the SUNS midfield.

Collingwood pair Ben Hudson and Jarrod Witts won the hit-outs 40-38, but Gold Coast edged its more seasoned rivals in the clearances (42-41, including 15-8 in the centre).

McKenna said Nicholls' ability to feed his onballers allowed them to run forward and break even with Collingwood.

The main beneficiary was captain Gary Ablett, who had a match-high 10 clearances among his phenomenal 49 disposals.

But McKenna was just as delighted with the work of Jaeger O'Meara, Harley Bennell, Dion Prestia and Jarrod Harbrow.

"I was super impressed with our work-rate," he said.

"I think the support cast around him is starting to grow up.

"Hopefully in time Gary's not having to have a huge amount of possessions for us to win."