The reigning premier delivered a ruthless reality check to Gold Coast when it delivered a 99-point knock-out punch to the AFL’s ambitious finals contenders.

But a five-game winning streak, plus renewed confidence around the playing group hot off claiming their biggest scalp yet, Geelong last weekend, has the SUNS ready to atone their round four disappointment.

Guy McKenna’s charges have won six of their past nine matches since going down to the Hawks at Metricon Stadium earlier this year, with their most recent performance against the Cats helping the team solidify their position in the top eight.

Offensive coach Mark Riley believes Saturday’s clash will be a measuring stick for the much-improve Gold Coast outfit as close to full-strength as possible.

“They have been very good for a long time the Hawks and we still sort of remember the 99-point grumping from earlier in the year,” he said.

“So it will be a good test to see how far we have come; if we have come far at all.”

Riley said the player’s unyielding desire to tackle the competition’s best opponents had ignited a burning fire for all within the club.

“They have an imposing record down there but we want to be an anywhere, anytime team,” Riley said.

“You have to be (when) in a national comp; we’ve gone to Adelaide recently, gone to Perth recently and just feel short so we think we’re due for an interstate victory.”

Gold Coast’s recent spike in performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the SUNS’ round fifteen challengers, with Hawks skipper Luke Hodge weary his team would be coming up against a side seeking for redemption.

The 2008 Norm Smith medallist said the revelation of Steven May and the continued emergence of Rory Thompson would give the Queenslanders a boost this time around.

"They've got their main tall guys back, which they didn't have last time we played," Hodge said.

"It's definitely not going to be the same as what we had it up there. It might be a bit colder down in Tassie on Saturday afternoon.

"If they can play the same way that they did against Geelong on the weekend we're going to be up for a battle."