For most AFL teams this month’s NAB Challenge is an opportunity to experiment, but for Guy McKenna, the pre-season matches are a chance to give his best senior players valuable match practise ahead of the regular season.

“We have to hit the ground running and it’s a bit of a disjointed start to the season with two byes early in the season as well,” McKenna told The Gold Coast Bulletin. 

“We have a week off here and a week off there and we aren’t going to have much continuity. So it’s important we try to settle it down as quickly as we can.”

A heavy injury toll ravaged the Gold Coast’s ability to keep players on the park in 2013, resulting in a number of emerging players getting a crack on the big stage. 

Timmy Sumner managed 11 AFL appearances in his maiden campaign, while fellow young guns Alex Sexton and Andrew Boston also received senior opportunities. 

But McKenna is definitely itching to see a full strength senior squad build chemistry over NAB Challenge, suggesting his key forward options would benefit most from the pre-season competition. 

“Last year Charlie Dixon played half a season as ruck-forward, Tom Lynch played half a season and Brandon Matera played half a season.

“So going in to this season, half our forward line hasn’t played together much.”

But that still won’t stop the coaching mentor from experimenting to some degree.

Newcomers Kade Kolodjashnij and Sean Lemmens could make their NAB Challenge debuts, while Jack Martin is a certain starter. 

“It’s just a management process but we will certainly attack it with blokes that are fit and quick, which you need to be early in the season, and the blokes that deserve a spot because they’re in form,” McKenna said.

“But we’re also conscious of making sure everyone gets enough football but not too much football as well.”