GOLD COAST Coach Guy McKenna has described Sunday’s match against Hawthorn as a “special" test for his young side.

Now into their third season at AFL level, the Suns have shown great improvement so far in 2013 having already won four matches this season.

In fact, the Suns have won five of their past 10 matches – considering it defeated Carlton in Round 22 last season.

But the expansion club faces its biggest test of 2013 to date, having to face a rampant Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.

The Hawks have won its past seven matches and are in red-hot form after defeating each of last year’s finalists aside from Geelong.

They’re also fresh off an 83 point win over Greater Western Sydney in which it stars like Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin put in impressive performances.

McKenna says facing the current league leaders will be a special test for his young group.

“We get to play one of the heavyweights of the competition, and with all the tests we had to face this season, this test will be something special for us,” McKenna said.

Hawthorn is the number one scoring team in the compeititon, averaging 118 points in its eight games this season.

It has booted 140 points or more on three occasions this year.

McKenna is aware of Hawthorn’s scoring power and knows his forwards will need to make the most of its opportunities when they present on Sunday.

“It will be important to make the most of our opportunities from the opening siren, because Hawthorn are a side who can apply strong scoreboard pressure and post big scores very quickly,” he said.

He says he’ll be looking for a four quarter effort from his side, knowing that a lapse at any stage of the game will severely inhibit its chance to notch its third straight win.

“If we bring composure and effort then we give ourselves a chance of competing,” McKenna said.

“It’s all about being able to compete for longer, and if we do that, then we give ourselves the best chance of winning.”