Gold Coast SUNS Assistant Coach Matthew Primus says the Gold Coast SUNS will be out to apply as much score board pressure on Melbourne as possible this Sunday after their frustrating effort around the goals against Fremantle last week.

While the Demons have shown significant improvement during their matches against the Brisbane Lions and Carlton in recent weeks, Primus is confident his contested ball-winners will be ready to pounce when they run out onto the MCG against a Demons outfit who will be without co-captains Jack Trengrove (calf) and Jack Grimes (collar-bone) for both side's must-win match.

“We were pretty disappointed with our effort in regards to hurting Fremantle on scoreboard last week so we're really looking forward to having the chance to back that up," Primus said.

“We going to get a really good opportunity against Melbourne, who in the last couple of weeks have been really competitive,” Primus said.
With only two home-and-away matches scheduled at the MCG this year, Primus hoped the players will turn up the heat against the southern AFL rival.

“It’ll be the first time we play at the MCG this year, and the boys had a pretty good effort on the ground against the Demons last year so hopefully they can play some great contested football again.”

“We don’t get too many opportunities to play footy on the MCG so we’re looking forward to playing on the big stage.”

Elite midfielder David Swallow starred in defence against the Dockers, earning best-on-ground honours after his pivotal shut-down role on dangerous small-forward Hayden Ballantyne with Primus saying Swallow would likely be entrusted with another tough defensive assignment on Sunday afternoon, the Gold Coaster likely to rub shoulders with Dee's goal-sneaks Shannon Brynes or Dean Kent.

“David played down back and did a really good job on Hayden Ballantyne, so I think he’ll continue in that fashion again this week.”

Fearless midfielder Dion Prestia, who showed his class against Daniel Pearce on the wing last week, will also be unleashed into the thick of the action after being rewarded with a starting spot in the centre circle.

"Dion has been great in finding the ball, but also in limiting the key opposition on-baller, so we hope he continues that style of footy against the Demon."

Sunday's match gets under way from 4:40pm with SUNS TV broadcast across Queensland on Seven Mate from 4:00pm.