The Gold Coasters have won three of their six matches on home soil this year, and McKenna is confident his charges can record their sixth Premiership victory for 2013 with the reigning top four finalists having shown their inability to stop scoreboard pressure after conceding 100 or more points in three of their last four contests.
“We need to go out and put pressure on them from the opening bounce,” McKenna told reporters on Friday.
“Sides that have done that normally have beaten team, but that happens to most teams in the AFL.
“We need to make sure we’re on the front foot, and hopefully if it’s a dry day, we can turn up the heat on Adelaide.”
The Round 14 clash will mark a special occasion for rookie youngster Andrew Boston, with the Gold Coast product set to make his AFL debut against the Crows after earning an elevation to the senior list on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’ll be the third run for our local players and he certainly hasn’t been handed a game,” said McKenna.
“Obviously he’s a rookie but we didn’t have to elevate him, but his ability to hit the scoreboard and play a role down back – in addition to being an elite kick has made this a great opportunity for him.”
While McKenna admits there is a significant contrast between total games played, experience and age between the two AFL clubs, he says his Gold Coaster’s impressive first half of the season had given his side enough confidence to suggest they could take on all comers throughout the back end of the season.
“They’re probably two-three years older than yes and their experience is almost double ours which will make it a tough game,” he said.
“Part of the reason Broughton and Hunt has come in to the side is because of the hardness they bring and their ability to compete.
“We’ll need that against a hard Adelaide side which I’m expecting will come out desperate to win this weekend.”
