Gold Coast SUNS captain Gary Ablett says his young teammates won't be overawed by the occasion when they run out on Saturday night in the GC SUNS first-ever AFL game.
The Brownlow medallist said he expected his side to be primed to face Carlton at the Gabba and predicted it could even stage an upset.
He acknowledged that a young side could be intimidated by its debut in the big time.
"I think there's always that concern with young kids coming in," Ablett said on Wednesday.
"Obviously they're going to be nervous to start with, but they're really mature for their age and they've played some pre-season matches now so hopefully that's helped.
"I think they'll be ready to go.
"We're an AFL side, we've got a lot of talent and if we stick to our structures and play the right way and things go our way, I think we can definitely get the win."
Ablett, who has played 192 AFL matches, said he had advised the large group of teammates set to make their debuts against the Blues on the best way to handle the hype.
"You get out on the training track and just talk to them about it," he said.
"You let them know what to expect and that it's going to be pretty hot early.
"These guys are pretty mature guys and I think they'll be ready for the first bounce."
Ablett has not played in a GC SUNS guernsey yet, having missed the pre-season with a groin injury.
He said he wasn't nervous about his first game as skipper, but admitted he was yet to think about what he would say to his teammates ahead of the first bounce.
"I'm sure that's something I'll think about as we get closer to the game," he said.
"I don't think I need to say anything special. The guys know what we expect of them and how to play the game.
"We've been working all pre-season on our structures and things so if they stick to that, it's going to help us win the game."
Former North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Harris, who played for the GC SUNS in their VFL season in 2010, will appear in his 150th game on Saturday night.
The 28-year-old said he was pleased to reach the milestone after finding himself on the AFL scrapheap at the end of 2009.
"I didn't think this day would come, to be honest. When I got a phone call from Bluey McKenna and he said they wanted to draft me, ever since that day I've thought this was my opportunity, even if it was through the VFL," he said.
"It was my pathway to get back to AFL footy. It just feels like it's gone overnight and all of a sudden it's here.
"It's nice to get there. It's just a great occasion for the whole footy club after the work that's been done behind the scenes."
Ablett said he was a certain starter for the game after pulling up well from a heavy training session on the weekend.
He also said he expected to play a similar role to last year, with roles in both the midfield and forward line as a result of the substitute rule.
Gary Ablett is a $494,400 midfielder in this year's Toyota AFL Dream Team competition, click here to join the GC SUNS Dream Team competition.