“We’ve played at Etihad Stadium four times in three years so we haven’t spent too much time on the ground,” McKenna said.
“But I think we’ve had enough education on the ground and I know the boys are really excited about the challenge.”
The Docklands precinct has often come under fire by rival clubs in recent years, with the ground’s hard turf having previously been labelled by players across the League as “rolled green concrete”.
However McKenna isn’t concerned about surface conditions, telling reporters his playing group prepared adequately for every AFL venue’s perks and disadvantages.
“It’s widely spoken about that you have boots for wet conditions, dry conditions and then you have boots for Etihad,” he said.
“Our players might have limited time on the surface but they’ve spoken to players from other clubs who understand there’s a third type of boot you have to prepare yourself for.”
“We set up to play hard, fast football – so playing under a rough Etihad Stadium we should have no fears.”
While the Gold Coasters have come narrowly close to celebrating victories over multiple top eight contenders so far this season, a win over the top four Bombers would provide McKenna and his rapidly progressing List with a huge confidence boost as they head into the bye and the second half of the season.
“We’re travelling and playing a good side and we have to get some runs on the board to gain some respect and credibility in the competition,” said McKenna.
“We’re under no illusions on how tough this is going to be but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
After falling away in the final term against Hawthorn and Geelong, McKenna says his players know that another three-quarter effort will not be enough to record their sixth premiership victory as they head into the mid-season break.
“They’re a resilient group so it’s going to be a great test for us,” he said.
“We have to play four quarters of hard footy because if we play three quarters than Essendon will beat us, so the boys are very much looking forward to Saturday night.”
