The Gold Coast SUNS head into the month of June in third position on the AFL Ladder with a 7-2 record and there’s “some confidence in the group” according to coach Guy McKenna.

June, however, shapes as a daunting proposition with the GC SUNS facing five of the seven teams they have yet to taste victory over in its short AFL history with games against Adelaide (away), the Sydney Swans (home), West Coast (away), Geelong (home) and reigning premier Hawthorn (away).

Can the boys from the Glitter Strip continue to prove their critics wrong and establish themselves as legitimate finals contenders? Or will there be a harsh reality check in store for the boys in red and gold over the next few weeks?

goldcoastfc.com.au previews the month ahead.

Round 11 v Adelaide Crows, Sunday June 1
Adelaide Oval, 1:10pm AEST

Dion Prestia on the run against the Adelaide Crows in Round 14, 2013.

The Adelaide Crows have been a mixed bag in season 2014 so far, currently sitting 10th on the ladder with a 4-5 record.

The Crows recorded an impressive 21-point win over Collingwood at Adelaide Oval in round 9 but have also dropped games at home to Port Adelaide (54 points), Sydney Swans (63 points) and Melbourne (3 points). The five-point loss to inconsistent Carlton on Sunday would have hurt badly.

The GC SUNS would fancy their chances in Adelaide and should be extremely determined to push themselves to 8-2 after Round 11. The Crows have some weapons up forward in the form of Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and James Podsiadly, so the backline will have its work cut out for it if the SUNS lose the battle in the midfield.

The Crows conceded 119-plus points in their first three games of 2014 – all losses – but since then Brenton Sanderson’s side has tightened up at the back and their last six opponents have averaged just 68.5 points per game. The free-wheeling SUNS might be in for their first real arm wrestle in some time.

Last time we met:
Adelaide Crows 16.15 (111) d. Gold Coast SUNS 11.17 (83)
Metricon Stadium (Round 14, 2013)

Round 12 v Sydney Swans, Sunday June 8
Metricon Stadium, 3:20pm AEST

Zac Smith battles with Swans ruckman Mike Pyke in Round 2, 2013.

The Sydney Swans had a slow start to 2014, losing to GWS, Collingwood and North Melbourne in the opening four rounds of the season.

Since then, the Swans have won five consecutive games including victories over Fremantle and Hawthorn. Their midfield brigade of Hannebery, Jack, Kennedy and Co. has found fine form and the twin towers of Kurt Tippett and Buddy Franklin will be more than a handful to contend with.

It won’t be an easy task taking on the Swans at close to the peak of their powers, but the fact that it’s at Metricon Stadium – where the club has lost just once this season - will give the SUNS belief. Sydney will come in to this match on the back of a nine-day break after playing Geelong in a Thursday night match-up, while the home side will have just six days to recover from the trip to Adelaide.

Last time we met:
Sydney Swans 17.12 (114) d. Gold Coast SUNS 11.7 (73)
SCG (Round 2, 2013)

Round 13 v West Coast Eagles, Saturday June 14
Patersons Stadium, 4:40pm AEST

David Swallow kicks a goal against the Eagles in Round 19, 2013.

The Gold Coast SUNS have travelled to Patersons Stadium in Perth on five occasions and have yet to return to Queensland with a win.

But after breaking their Etihad Stadium duck in round 7 against North Melbourne, the SUNS will be hoping to do the same at the Subiaco venue in round 13 when they face off against West Coast. The Eagles started their campaign with three straight wins but then dropped four-in-a-row, so to say they’re hot and cold is an understatement. They come in to this match off a tough stretch against Collingwood, North Melbourne and Hawthorn.

In round 19 last year, the SUNS came close to securing an amazing comeback victory against the Eagles before going down by 17 points in a high scoring shootout. That performance, along with their 2014 form so far will give the SUNS confidence heading over to Perth.

Last time we met:
West Coast Eagles 20.10 (130) d. Gold Coast SUNS 17.11 (113)
Patersons Stadium (Round 19, 2013)

Round 14 v Geelong Cats, Saturday June 21
Metricon Stadium, 4:40pm AEST

Gary Ablett bursts clear of former teammate Jimmy Bartel in Round 10, 2013.

Can SUNS skipper Gary Ablett finally get a win on the board against his former team? Round 14 will provide Ablett with his best opportunity yet, but it won’t be an easy task against a Geelong side that has only lost to last year’s grand finalists Hawthorn and Fremantle so far in 2014.

In round 10 last year, the SUNS kicked five consecutive goals at Simonds Stadium to take a 12-point lead over the Cats late in the third quarter before a skinny interchange bench and a fast finishing Cats side took their toll, with the final margin 52 points.

Last time we met:
Geelong Cats 18.15 (123) d. Gold Coast SUNS 10.11 (71)
Simonds Stadium (Round 10, 2013)

Round 15 v Hawthorn, Saturday June 28
Aurora Stadium, 1:45pm AEST

Aaron Hall celebrates after kicking a goal against Hawthorn in Round 4.

The Gold Coast SUNS were demolished by Hawthorn to the tune of 99 points in round 4 this year and it’s one match Guy McKenna admits he is still “scarred” by, when it comes to questions about where the club stands right now. The SUNS will be desperate for revenge when they travel to Tasmania for a rematch with the Hawks in round 15.

The Hawks will be a vastly different side with key players Josh Gibson and Sam Mitchell still likely to be missing with injury, however, whether the mental scars of the round 4 defeat have healed will be a big question mark.

A massive challenge for the young SUNS team, but it’s one they’ll attack head on in windy and chilly Launceston.

Last time we met:
Hawthorn 23.10 (148) d. Gold Coast SUNS 7.7 (49)
Metricon Stadium (Round 4, 2014)