The Gold Coast SUNS have faced some formidable challenges over recent weeks, but arguably the toughest one comes this Sunday when the team flies west to take on the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium.

The Eagles have won their last 10 games at Subiaco and 18 of their last 20 at the Perth venue. In 2016, they have won all five games at Domain by an average of 66 points. It’s an imposing record, to say the least.

With just three players on their injury list, the home side enters their round 10 clash against the SUNS at virtually full strength.

“They obviously play very well at home,” coach Rodney Eade told United Coaches Chat on Thursday.

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“Their results against opposition teams has been quite daunting where they’ve smashed them. Last game they had was 100 points so they’ve got a lot of confidence playing at home, virtually nearly got a full squad as well.

“But even last year, we were beaten reasonably easy over there, I thought our effort was pretty good considering who we had.

“So if we can bring that effort again and work hard around the stoppages and work hard in the contest it certainly gives us a chance.”

The last time the two sides met at Metricon Stadium in round 18 last year, an undermanned SUNS side drew with West Coast in the dying stages, with the Eagles going on to play in the 2015 Grand Final.

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“I think we can draw on that a little bit,” Eade said.

“We’ve got to play with the same energy, the same enthusiasm we had then. As I said, the four in’s we’ve got are pretty good players so that’ll give the guys some confidence.

“Obviously Gary [Ablett] back, [Aaron] Hall as well, he’s been in very good form. Steven May it’s his first game back, not that we’re going to expect enormous things from him but it’s obviously a quality player and a quality leader back in and Tom Nicholls back in the ruck with obviously Dan Currie out with a broken finger.”