By Michael Whiting
Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna has no fears travelling to Perth for a third time this year and says his SUNS have a 'bring it on' mentality ahead of Saturday's match against Fremantle.
Despite fielding the youngest team in the league and the toughest road schedule of any eastern state club to date, McKenna said he was excited about going back to Patersons Stadium again.
Gold Coast SUNS played West Coast there in the NAB Cup in late February and were back again in round 11 to take on the Eagles.
They have also had trips to Adelaide to play Port Adelaide (round five) and the Crows (round eight) as well as a journey to Tasmania to play Hawthorn in round 13 in an arduous early season schedule.
With both of the club's byes already used, McKenna said the schedule was part of the GC SUNS education.
"It's tough, but put a smile on your face and bring it on," he said.
"We're only going to get better the more we do this and it's a great opportunity.
"I think the ground suits our style of footy - Fremantle have some injury concerns but they still have some quality players. I know they lost a few on the weekend, I probably wouldn't mind seeing Matthew Pavlich go off again and a few others as well, but it's a great challenge.
"The more we do it the better we're going to be. I experienced it at West Coast, don't shy away from it, we almost want to bring it on. We look forward to the challenge.
"The GC SUNS are coming off a 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last weekend, but aside from some poor kicking for goal, it was one of their most consistent performances of the season.
They ran all over the Bulldogs in the final quarter, kicking five goals to one, and McKenna said he saw signs of development."I thought the intent was really good," he said.
"The turnovers were there too and if I can say this as a coach, the turnovers are encouraging because it's not the same person making the same mistake each week.
"They've got to almost make those mistakes to get better. Certainly their work rate and attitude was fantastic from first bounce to last."
McKenna said halfback Mav Weller was "cooked" and would be rested this weekend.
