Gold Coast SUNS Head of Development Andy Lovell said the team is looking forward to tackling Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.

Speaking to the media prior to the GC SUNS training session at Aurora Stadium on Friday afternoon, Lovell said the SUNS respected the reigning premier but wouldn’t be daunted by the challenge.

“We respect them as being a great side, so that means we are going to need to bring great effort," Lovell said.

“The last time we played they taught us a bit of a football lesson, so it is a big test for us, but one we are looking forward to.”

Lovell said playing against the premiers of the last three seasons within a month gave the SUNS the opportunity to test themselves against the best.

“We felt three weeks ago against the Sydney Swans that we played some reasonable footy, with a good balance of attack and defence, we then had a poor showing in Perth against the Eagles and had a really good win last week. It gives us a chance to test ourselves and see where we are at against arguably one of the best teams in the comp.”

Saturday will be a special day for Jesse Lonergan and Kade Kolodjashnij. Both youngsters are set to play their first senior game at home in Launceston.

“Kade Kolodjashnij and Jesse Lonergan are both from here and that’s exciting for them that they are able to come back to their home state and play, but we are under no illusion as to how difficult the job is going to be, but we are looking forward to it.”

It will be Lonergan’s first senior game of the season and fifth of his career, and Lovell believes the injury hampered Lonergan will compete strongly.

“It's been well documented that he has struggled a little bit with hamstring injuries and he had a broken wrist before that, so he has worked himself into some really good form in the reserves competition and has played a really good role as an inside and outside mid.

“We don’t expect enormous things from him being his first game, but we expect him to be here ready to play. He is a big strong body so we think he will compete pretty strongly.”