GUY McKenna has dismissed suggestions the Gold Coast SUNS will gain little reward from a win over Melbourne tomorrow night, in a match the home team will fancy themselves to win against the second-from-bottom Demons. 

“There is still plenty on the line for a club that is still in its third season of football and trying to earn some respect across the competition,” McKenna said.

“Every game for us is important. It gives us another opportunity to hone our skills so that we can continue to get better.”

“We’ve got a long way to go still but it’s getting done off the back of hard work.”

The heavily scrutinised opposition have made two changes for the Saturday night’s clash at Metricon Stadium, with Jordie McKenzie returning since injuring his elbow in Round 11 while Troy Davis has been named to make his AFL debut on the Gold Coast.

A consistent run of form with the Demon’s VFL-affiliate Casey saw Davis earn the First Team upgrade according to McKenna’s coaching counterpart Neil Craig. 

“He’s played a lot of VFL footy at both ends of the ground. So he’s got a lot of flexibility. Troy’s been very good,” Craig told melbournefc.com.au.

With much of this weekend’s Round 20 talk surrounding Gary Ablett’s 250^th AFL Premiership match, McKenna said a win would be fitting for the club’s champion midfielder. 

“Gary had a very distinguished career down in Geelong and I think all initial reports were about him struggling up here and questions around his leadership, but I think he has put all that stuff to bed,” said McKenna.

“While he has been fantastic on the field, where most people would see him perform, he has also been super off it as well.”

“… I think the challenge for us now is for Gary to retire and for him to say it was a privilege to play alongside David Swallow, Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch, Campbell Brown, Nathan Bock etc. some of those players that are around his vintage as well – that’s what this weekend’s game will be all about.”