With competition heavyweight’s Hawthorn ranking among the code’s leaders in centre clearances and scoring efficiency, the Gold Coast SUNS will be entering their MCG clash with a fixed determination around the centre circle, according to assistant coach Andy Lovell.

But Lovell conceded it won’t be easy for Guy McKenna’s charges, who the Gold Coast’s super-talented midfield set to collide with an experienced collection of proven ball-winners in Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis.

“We need to get our hands on the contested football, their midfield is an outstanding and obviously their forward line has a lot of star power so it’s important for us to break even in those clearances because you can’t give them first look at it then have to chase their tails,” Lovell said.

“If we’re forced to counter-attack from half-back against such a high-quality opposition than we’re going to make it very difficult for ourselves to tally a winning score.”

With elite defender Josh Gibson and livewire Bradley Hill set to make their return from injury against the much-improved Gold Coasters at the MCG this weekend, Lovell is well aware the recalled senior players makes coach Alastair Clarkson’s Hawks a more dangerous proposition.

“It’s a great challenge for us because clearly they are one of the best teams in the competition.”

“It gives us an opportunity to test where we are at, but we’re certainly under no illusions – we’re going to be heading to the MCG and we know they’re going to bring a really fierce battle so it’s going to be a really good learning curve for our boys.”

But the GC SUNS are definitely out to more than ruffle a few of feathers when the sides meet at the MCG on Sunday with Lovell saying the Gold Coasters will need to dominate the contested football if they are to secure a third consecutive victory for the club.  

“It’s no secret one of the key areas which Hawthorn thrive in is their ability to use the ball by foot, their kicking efficiency is fantastic, as is their use of uncontested possessions and ability to spread across the ground.”

“We have to be able to bring enough pressure to their kicker and we need to ensure we stick the tackles – it’s been a strong performance indicator for a long time, and if we do that then it will give us an ability to compete.”