SUNS AFLW senior coach David Lake believes a week spent away from home could be the circuit breaker his team needs to claim their first win of the 2021 NAB AFLW season.

The SUNS will come up against fellow winless side West Coast on Sunday afternoon and Lake said both teams would recognise the golden opportunity which lay ahead of them.

“The Eagles and ourselves have both fallen into the same opportunity, (it’s) our footy credibility – we’re playing for that,” he said.

“We both turn up with that same chance to get off that bottom end of the ladder and grab four points.

“I think our girls have recognised the opportunity but I’m certain that the Eagles would recognise the same opportunity so we really need to have ourselves prepared and ready to go.”

In preparation for the match, the SUNS have remained in Perth after playing Fremantle in Round 4.

It’s been an opportunity for team bonding and relationship building off the field.

Lake said it had been challenging for some to juggle work and life responsibilities while interstate, but credited the attitude the group had embraced for the week.

“I think they adapt really quickly and you spend a lot more time than usual together and you either work it out or you don’t.

“We have learnt to adapt to each other’s personalities off the field and I actually think that can work to our advantage when we get to on-field.

“They always find a way to support each other and that’s one of the best parts that you can’t put a real value on so hopefully we can take that into the weekend as part of our advantage.”

The SUNS take on West Coast at 4:10pm AEST on Sunday.