Despite registering back-to-back wins against Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast SUNS assistant coach Dean Solomon says his team has identified a need to sharpen the pencil when it meets fifth-placed North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night. 

Gold Coast's defensive mentor said the coaching panel had surveyed a number of key areas needing polish ahead of their round seven clash against the Kangaroos.

The SUNS would have fancied their chances against their lesser-fancied opponents in recent weeks, but Solomon was adamant the Roos will punish the playing group on the scoreboard if improvement is not made. 

"Over the past few weeks we have lapsed in a few areas, both offensively and defensively," he said.

"(But) we have addressed that and trained quite well this week, so I think that will hold us in good stead."

Similar to Brad Scott's sentiments about nullifying Gary Ablett and the rest of the SUNS' midfield weapons in Dion Prestia, David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara, the 2000 premiership defender said the travelling team couldn't afford to just concentrate on stopping the likes of Kangaroos champion Brent Harvey and high-profile recruit Nick Del Santo. 

"They have some great players; Harvey has been a great player for a long period of time and Nick has been a great pick up for them and has also been playing some consistent footy," Solomon said.

"We can't underestimate anyone."

While Gold Coast heads to the AFL capital in search of its first victory at Etihad Stadium, the return of key players Charlie Dixon and Harley Bennell has boosted Guy McKenna's chances of adding another page of history in the club's record books.

But for Solomon, the thrill of having Nos. 11 and 23 back playing senior football is most pleasing for the former Essendon stalwart.

"It's great to have Charlie back after three weeks out, and Harley had a really good pre-season leading into his injury.

"He played really well last week and has put himself in good physical conditioning, so we are looking forward to exciting things from Harley."