The Gold Coast SUNS will be looking to continue playing their system to reclaim the Mackenzie Cup from the Southport Sharks this Saturday.

The latest edition of the  Mackenzie Cup is played in honour of Alan ‘Doc’ Mackenzie, a founding figure for football in Queensland and a prestigious member of both Southport and the SUNS. 

Dr Mackenzie served as president for the Southport Sharks for five decades and played an influential role in the establishment of the Gold Coast SUNS.

“We're playing for the Dr Mackenzie Cup which is really important for both clubs. Doc was a great servant for both teams and we’re really looking forward to coming up against a team that's in red hot form,” SUNS VFL Coach Tate Keasler said.

“Southport is always a really tough battle and playing in their home territory is always going to be quite fun so that’s something that we'll embrace.

“It's always a really contested game of footy which is something that we pride ourselves on so the boys are really excited about the opportunity to play in that game and hopefully put our best foot forward.”

Kaesler was impressed with the team’s turnaround efforts that delivered a record-breaking 125-point win over the Northern Bullants at People First Stadium in round three.

“I think the most pleasing part was the way we played in terms of playing to our system,” Kaesler said.

“After our Casey game, we addressed where we thought there were a few areas we could get better at and to the pleasing part, the boys were able to execute that for four quarters. 

“Our contested balls was also an area that we really focused on and we ended up plus 36 (41) for the game so that was really pleasing from a coaching perspective.” 

After a competition bye due to Gather Round, the SUNS are roaring to return to the field this Easter Saturday. 

“The boys had a really solid session on Saturday that was sort of game-like,” Kaesler added.

“I think they got up to nine or ten kilometers in their session so yeah it was really good making sure that we've got enough load in them so that it feels like a game without the physical contact.

“They're ready to go for this weekend.”

Commemorate Dr Mackenzie and cheer on the SUNS at Fankhauser Reserve this Saturday,19 April. First bounce is at 12:05pm.