Gold Coast's project player Karmichael Hunt may be one of several defenders saddled with minding Melbourne's exciting forward Liam Jurrah at the Gabba on Sunday, according to the Suns' development coach Anthony Lovell.
Lovell said Hunt and fellow inexperienced defenders Josh Toy and Seb Tape were all likely to be on a rotation system to eyeball the spring-heeled Demon in the absence of suspended centre-half back Campbell Brown.
He said if Jurrah's firing then Melbourne is at its most dangerous and the Suns cannot afford the dangerous forward any chance to weave his magic.
"We have talked about him a little bit at match committee," Lovell said.
"He's one that clearly is a barometer of how Melbourne is going and if he's going well then usually they are going well.
"We may use a few different players on him.
"Remember our progress is as much about educating the young players as well as getting experience and you have Hunt, Tape and Toy who could all be given the opportunity to play on him."
After heavy losses to Carlton and the Western Bulldogs in their first two matches, Gold Coast is more suited, at least in the midfield, to matching it with Melbourne than their previous opponents.
The Suns' on-ball brigade, led by Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli and Daniel Harris will put the Demons' midfield under enormous pressure.
Lovell said it is one part of the ground the Suns are confident they are of equal or better strength than the Demons.
He said if their on-ball division can generate enough drive, win contested balls and the stoppages they will increase their inside 50s ratio and put scoreboard pressure on the inconsistent Demons.
"The stoppages will be critical," Lovell said.
"It's the team that wins the contested footy and the stoppages that usually wins.
"We did improve in that area last match.
"We played good in patches against Carlton and we need a lot more consistency but we are definitely improving.
"It's probably one area on the ground that we do match-up well against them."
The Suns promoted Matt Shaw and Luke Russell for their AFL debuts, while veteran ruckman Josh Fraser and Josh Toy will return to the side.
They lost vice captain Campbell Brown to suspension and dropped Nathan Krakouer, Alik Magin and Harley Bennell.
Melbourne named an unchanged side for Sunday's clash and they took the unusual step of heading to Brisbane a day earlier to allow them two instead of one training session at the Gabba.
The Demons held a closed training session on Friday and trained on Saturday under grey skies and in light rain.
- AAP
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