“History is history” as far as Gold Coast SUNS senior coach Guy McKenna is concerned, declaring his charges are “physically and mentally” ready to kick-start their season off with a win against St. Kilda at Metricon Stadium tomorrow night.

Having endured consecutive heavy-margin losses to the Saints, McKenna says the growing pains of 2012 would put the player in good stead heading into their third premiership campaign.

“History is history - we can look at the two 90-point whacking’s, but what our players need to understand is that we’re a year older,” said McKenna.

“When the siren goes and the umpire holds the ball aloft all bets are off and all history is forgotten.”

“It’s about us making our new history or our new tradition starting off with Round 1 at Metricon Stadium with a win.”

McKenna said the playing group would welcome the challenge of going up against a formidable Saints side.

“They have a super midfield but with (captain) Gary Ablett, Karmichael Hunt, Michael Rischitelli, Jared Brennan and you throw in Jaeger O’Meara along with David Swallow and Dion Prestia I think we’ve got a good mix,” McKenna said.

“Our tall forwards are beginning to clunk some balls, so that gives you a smell of confidence as well.”

McKenna admits the outcome from tomorrow’s Easter Saturday blockbuster would have a significant effect on the confidence and belief around the club.  

“There’s no more extra points on it but what it adds to a confidence and belief point of view I think is fairly significant,” said McKenna.

“If we play four quarters of good contested football we’ll give ourselves the best chance to beat St. Kilda, and we’d like to beat Sydney the following week so it’s a step-by-step, quarter-by-quarter and contest-by-contest attitude.”