The Gold Coast SUNS have undergone two competitive hit-outs against AFLW opposition in the last week.

On Saturday it was against St Kilda at Southport, and more recently the SUNS took on the Brisbane Lions in a match simulation session at Yeronga on Wednesday night.

AFLW Senior Coach David Lake said the most pleasing part of Wednesday’s session was seeing the girls put into practice everything they had learnt from the previous week.

“Saturday I thought we were good, Wednesday I thought we were better,” Lake told SUNS Media.

“That’s not about your opposition, that’s about the way we’re doing things and understanding the different things we’re trying to add to our game.

“We want to play that free-flowing, skilful brand and to see the girls doing the things that need to be done to get that done is really good.

“We created plenty of forward entries and now our challenge, as is the same with most of the AFLW sides, is to convert that and turn it into scores.”

Wednesday’s match simulation consisted of four 10-minute quarters.

It was a competitive affair, with the Lions eventually running out four-point winners.

Both sides were missing experienced AFLW campaigners, but Lake said it was more important to see how players stood up in their absence.

“The defensive unit minus Sam Virgo who sat out – it was great to see them pull it all together without Sam’s direction because clearly she’s the general in that area,” he said.

“And then the midfield group, take away Jamie Stanton and up steps Serene Watson to take control. 

“That was a really good thing again, to see players like Hannah Dunn and Jacqui Yorston also taking responsibility.”

Lake now has under a week until her names the inaugural SUNS AFLW side to take on GWS in Round 1.

There will be a minimum of eight debutants for Gold Coast, which adds to the occasion even more.

But as for the preparation leading into the match, nothing changes for Lake and his squad.

“We go about our business the same way and no doubt there will be a bit of excitement with some of the girls and they’ll be nervous,” Lake said.

“From our point of view (we need to be) open and honest and giving the girls the information they need to get themselves through so they arrive as ready as possible.

“We’re definitely not here to make up the numbers.”

Gold Coast’s match against GWS in Blacktown on February 8 will be broadcast on 7mate and Fox Footy from 12pm AEST.