Winning more contested football and restricting the influence of Melbourne’s tall forwards are the keys to unlocking an Easter Sunday win over the Demons, according to GC SUNS defender Trent McKenzie.

Prior to last week’s 99-point defeat to premiership favourite Hawthorn, the SUNS were ranked the number one team in the AFL in contested possessions.

However, after a stellar start to the season, the boys in the red, gold and blue were left to lick their wounds with the Hawks dominating the contested possession count 175-144 last Saturday night.

“I would say the contested footy (is the key to beating Melbourne),” McKenzie told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“We have been pretty good all year, but last week we had a bit of a week off.”

The GC SUNS midfield group, which includes the likes of Ablett, Prestia, O’Meara and Swallow, has the potential to set the tone for the game and make life easier for the back six if they can get on top early.

“If we start winning it out of the middle and get it down to our forwards pretty quick (we’ll go close to winning),” McKenzie said.

“If we’re winning it forward, it gives us a much better chance of setting up defensively.”

Against Carlton last week, Melbourne’s forward line looked potent, producing several multiple goalkickers.

They included key forward Chris Dawes who successfully returned from a calf injury to kick two goals and tall defender James Frawley who made the switch up forward and ended up with 24 possessions, 14 marks and two goals.

“They’ve got some tall timber so we’re going to have to be on our game for sure,” McKenzie said.

With rookie defender Clay Cameron to miss Sunday’s clash due to a shoulder injury, McKenzie said it was up to the entire backline to step up with Rory Thompson set to play a big role on Dawes.

“Rory’s had a quiet start to the season but he played on Dawes last year and played really well.

“So I think he’ll be hoping to do the same thing tomorrow.”

McKenzie hasn’t been given a set assignment against the Demons but was looking forward to the challenge of going head-to-head with one of their dangerous forwards.

“Maybe a Lynden Dunn or a Jack Watts,” McKenzie said when asked about a potential opponent.

“Whoever I get the job on, hopefully I can play my best.”