On Saturday at the MCG, the AFL world will get a strong indication of whether Gold Coast is the real deal in 2025.
The Suns will venture down to the home of football for the first and only time this year, whilst simultaneously attempting to end a 12-game losing streak to Melbourne, as well as put their travel hoodoos to bed.
Enthralling stuff, right?
The narrative surrounding Gold Coast has been their inability to hit the road with any real success, ultimately preventing them from a maiden finals campaign.
Last year, Damien Hardwick's men struggled to get the proverbial monkey off the back, losing nine away matches consecutively, before a Mac Andrew goal after the siren in Round 22 altered the ledger.
That was followed by a 28-point victory against Richmond at the MCG to close the season.
But a new campaign can dawn bring a new era, and with Noah Anderson taking over the captaincy, the Suns unveiling new guernseys and a host of fresh faces, records are set to be rewritten.
The Demons have had a chokehold over the AFL expansion club since 2014, winning by an average of 40 points over the supreme reign.
Gold Coast has gotten close in multiple instances but, like their history depicts, they fail when it matters most.
"We know it's going to be an enormous challenge," Hardwick said on Thursday.
"One we're looking forward to. They've got an incredible record over our football club that's something we're looking to change."
Saturday's early litmus test, albeit in Round 3, will be a significant sign as to where the mental demons sit among the Suns' squad.
Their strong Round 1 performance at Optus Stadium against West Coast was what needed to be done, showcasing their new and improved toys throughout the entire ground.
Daniel Rioli and John Noble's inclusion was immediately felt, while Ben King took to the skies and hit the scoreboard heavily.
But Melbourne and the MCG are a different prospect to the Eagles.
The Demons, despite a positive start in Round 1, lowered their colours against North Melbourne, and will be expected to respond in front of the home crowd.
So, the equation is simple. Beat Melbourne.
Gold Coast have been teasing the football community about their genuine premiership contention for over a decade, and the wait should be over.
The Demons aren't tipped to make a play at a second flag in four seasons, but a win would help the Suns solidify their hot start and what they're attempting to achieve.
"We'll speak about (playing on the MCG)," Hardwick said,
"It is an honour to play at the G. There's some sides that get to play there more than us. It's an opportunity to play on the hallowed turf.
"It's a hostile environment. The vast majority of the crowd doesn't want to see us win. We're there to be the bad boys. We're here to take away something they want."
Hardwick's pre-game speech is simple.
The three-time premiership coach is no stranger to big games, and as mentioned, it is Round 3, but this should be treated like their grand final.
The Suns won't play at the "hallowed turf" for the remainder of the home and away season, but a victory like this can be used as a place-card in their memory, as a venue they want to return to before 2025's curtains close.
Andrew and Sam Flanders will return from injury, while Jed Walters has served his suspension from 2024 and is also in the mix.
