VETERAN Campbell Brown says the Gold Coast SUNS encouraging performances have given them the confidence to compete at any AFL venue in the country, and will think no differently when they enter Patersons Stadium to take on West Coast at the infamous “House of Pain”. 

 “We’ve been doing a fair bit of travel in the last two years and the guys aren’t daunted by it anymore,” he said.

“They stick to their usual preparations and hostile crowds tend to make the side come together a bit more.”

The Gold Coasters have vastly improved in 2013, recording four home victories and two wins away from Metricon Stadium – a significant contrast in comparison to the three success stories from each of their first two seasons.

But while the team’s winning ways have sent major scares through rival camps across the code, it has been their honourable hit-outs against heavyweights Geelong and Hawthorn that have raised alarm bells amongst the competition – with teams now resting key players against the Gold Coast at their own peril.

Traditionally, John Worsfold and his competitive Eagles have had the favourable addition of a 23^rd player – a thunderous and intimidating hunting ground filled with diehard support, forming one of the most feared AFL stadiums in the country.

However, Brown says the Gold Coasters will be on a high when they board the four-hour flight to the visiting city – with Dion Prestia, David Swallow and Rory Thompson all considered strong possibilities to return from key injuries. 

“It’d be fantastic if we could get a couple of the guys back in Prestia, Swallow and Thompson,” Brown said.

“Obviously the midfielders (Prestia and Swallow) are crucial players for us and give us that run and carry, while Rory would be a likely pick up for big Josh Kennedy so hopefully we can go over there full of confidence and put in a four quarter effort.”

Brown hopes a win will ignite the Gold Coast towards a strong season-ending campaign. 

“We’ve only had the one win in the last five weeks and have got a pretty favourable run home.

“Hopefully we can take some of that momentum we built earlier in the year and capture a few more wins before the pre-season because we feel good at the moment but really need to consolidate the season with a strong finish.”