The SUNS will be eager to build on the momentum from last week’s 34-point victory over the Coburg Lions at People First Stadium.

Tate Kaesler, the head coach of the Gold Coast SUNS VFL, said that the club faces a big test against Essendon but is confident the team has gained significant momentum and is ready to take on the task at hand.

“They had a good win on the weekend as well, and they’ve got a pretty highly talented midfield - so that’s going to be a really good challenge for our boys,” Kaesler said.

“We feel like over the past two to three weeks we have been building some strong consistency and momentum in our style of play.”

Kaesler continues by talking about how to tackle the opponent by minimising their impact with the ball but maximising the club’s offence and defence to have the best chance possible at taking the win. 

“We know they are a really good handball side, and they use their hands a lot in the contest.

“(We’ve got to make) sure we are set up well from a stoppage perspective but also want to maximise it if we win it and use our hands to try and get through their pressure.

“But if they win it, we want to minimise their impact as well. So, making sure that our pressure on the ball is really hot and forcing blast kicks that allow our defenders to hopefully intercept the footy in our back half.”

StreetSmarts SUNS Academy prospect Leo Lombard is in a rich vein of form after recording three goals, 22 disposals and six tackles in the victory over Coburg. 

Kaesler said the club would continue to invest time into his development through the VFL.

“He has had a pretty big season with all his Allies and Academy commitments, and we've also managed him a little bit in the back half of the season,” Kaesler said

“He is fit at the moment and he's excited about hopefully playing again in some finals footy like he did last year.”

The SUNS, who are now 7^th on the VFL ladder, will be eyeing off a top six finish to confirm a week two finals appearance and avoid the uncertainty of playing off in the new-look wildcard finals round featuring teams placed seventh to 10th.

“You want to finish as high as you can, all we are really focussed on at the moment is the process, and that’s the process of winning,” Kaesler said.

“If we feel we can get our process around our contest, our offence and our defence right, we know that the results will take care of itself.

“I feel like we are really building in the back half of this season, and we are starting to play some of our better footy.”