Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says the SUNS are up for the challenge against the West Coast Eagles.
The SUNS trained at the WACA on Friday morning ahead of tomorrow’s match against the in form Eagles at Patersons Stadium.
McKenna said he had tried to educated his players about the importance of a strong start early against the Eagles who are currently enjoying a winning run of 17 games at home.
We want to make it an arm wrestle early, we know it's a strength of theirs, and we eventually want to have that at home at Metricon, it’s a great challenge for the boys.
McKenna acknowledged that he would love his side to have notched up a win or two but said he believed the GC SUNS were still improving.
“I think the expectations from year one to year two have been based on sides that have been around for hundreds of years. We’ve been around 30 to 35 games.
It’s important that we just settle down and be patient, but making sure then when we do go out there it’s about earning respect in the AFL and that’s competing and competing hard. That’s all I look for.
McKenna stressed the club had improved defensively in conceding 100 less points than at the same time in a debut season where they finished with three wins.
“We’re happy, if you like, to be where we are,” McKenna said.
“We’d certainly be a lot happier if we were 2-300 points better off that’s for sure.”
