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Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna has challenged his players to get off to a flyer against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday, McKenna asked his chargers to think like men.

"They've got to start thinking like men. That's the greatest challenge."

"It's easy to make them look big but they've got to start thinking big and that's what we're driving within the group."

"We know these boys are very talented but it's their ability to hang onto structures for longer and their mental discipline to stay in the game longer," he said.

McKenna wants his players to change what is becoming an all to familiar scenario, with teams jumping the GC SUNS from the first bounce.

"I don't think in our short history we've been good at that at all in our first quarters, and I can't keep making excuses for the boys being so young and overawed. Last year we had a lot of firsts, but we've done all that," McKenna said.

"They've done the pre-season in Arizona, they've done the work, we can't train them any harder. Physically, we think they're thereabouts."

The GC SUNS coach is hoping to see a tougher mental edge against the Saints.

"The boys understand the structure but that (alone) will not win us the game. It's the intent and the desire that you want to be the best you possibly can and that's a mental edge."