By Michael Whiting

Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna says he won't use avoiding the wooden spoon as a motivational tool against Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

A loss for the GC SUNS, coupled with Port Adelaide defeating Melbourne, would hand Gold Coast the spoon in its inaugural season, but McKenna said it was more important to put in a strong performance to springboard the club into 2012.

"It's not something you set your mind to. Our motivation is to be the best we can week in, week out," McKenna said.

"You prefer to go in flying the flag and charging into the pre-season rather than losing and limping and getting whacked – it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. It's important we finish well."

McKenna said while a lot of the team's younger bodies battled to get through the season, Gold Coast needed to raise its game and produce a strong showing for their supporters.

The GC SUNS are yet to win at Metricon Stadium since playing their first match there in round 10 against Geelong.

"(Our supporters) have been loud and proud for us for the whole season. They sit there and look on in hope and there comes a time we need to deliver on hope," McKenna said.

"I'm not saying it will be this weekend, but we need to make sure they come to the game with some hope.

"We get an opportunity against a top four side. If nothing else it will be a mental challenge this week. We know if we back off against Hawthorn they will open us up.

"They are one of the best sides with their ferocity at the footy and we have to match that to give ourselves any chance. That's not a physical thing, that's a mental challenge."

Prior to their final match, McKenna paid tribute to his older players who have carried an enormous workload throughout the season.

Gary Ablett, Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Michael Rischitelli, Campbell Brown and Jarrod Harbrow have been asked to take on particularly demanding roles.

"They've probably had to do a load-and-a-half," McKenna said.

"A lot can be said about how much money they've made, but to a man they've earned every dollar."

McKenna indicated the GC SUNS were likely to roll out their 34th debutant on Saturday in Jacob Gillbee.