A five-year tenure inside Carlton’s inner sanctum has given Guy McKenna a valuable coaching resource during Match Committee this week, with assistant coach Mark Riley set to provide the Gold Coast SUNS with priceless competitive advantage in the lead-up to the side’s Round 18 fixture against the Blues this Saturday. 

Riley joined former Port Adelaide senior coach Matthew Primus as the GCSUNS looked to bolster their Coaching staff in preparation for the 2013 season.

“I had a terrific five years at Carlton and was lucky enough to work with some gifted players and really enjoyed my time at the Blues,” Riley said on Wednesday.

But despite holding a wealth of knowledge surrounding this weekend’s opposition, Riley remained tight lipped about his workings at Visy Park.

Instead, the former Melbourne caretaker coach emphasised the importance of this weekend’s clash at Metricon Stadium, saying it would be a fantastic achievement for the Gold Coasters to put in another competitive performance against what he believes is a team primed for finals footy this season.

“They’re a good footy team so we just have to challenge ourselves against a big Victorian club,” he said.

“They’re a better than their 8-8 record; they’ve lost a couple of close ones but could easily be entrenched in the top eight.

“It’s another great opportunity for our team to play against class.”

Mick Malthouse’s hard-hitting bodies lead the competition for contested marks with a total of 220, and rank in the top echelon for contested possessions with an average of 148 per match.

But with the Gold Coasters still holding position over the Blues around the clearances, stoppages and Rebound 50s, Riley says the home team would be out to exploit their own strengths when they took to the field on Saturday.

“They score more goals than us and probably have an advantage around the offense.

“Defensively we’re both pretty similar in terms of inside-50s for and against, and both teams are very good stoppage teams.

“On paper it should be a very good fixture and people should be in and swing by the rafters.”

“They’re a big Victorian Club and the SUNS are on a win, so it should be a beautiful day for football on the Gold Coast.”