Heat of the moment
The opposition won't be the only thing North's players will have to deal with on Saturday evening
While a record month of hot weather in Victoria will have aided their preparations, the Kangaroos are doing everything to ensure they aren't caught by surprise.
"We've turned the air-conditioning off downstairs in the gym so it's been pretty sweaty," midfielder Ryan Bastinac told NMFC.com.au.
"We're just trying to acclimatise to the conditions quickly."
Bastinac says he and his team-mates are looking forward to the challenge against the Suns, who defeated 2012 Grand Finalist Hawthorn last week, before falling to the Lions.
"It's going to be a big challenge. Like us, they've got some exciting young players and we are expecting a really tough match in tough conditions."
News of Brandon Matera and Dion Prestia's availability for Gold Coast will make that challenge even greater, but Bastinac believes a similar performance to last week will put North in a good position.
"Every time you go out to play, you want to win, so to have two wins to start off the NAB Cup series was good.
"We got into positions really well and executed the things we've been working on but we still need to carry it out for the whole game if we are going to be that good side we want to become."
Off-season recruit Daniel Currie impressed in a stellar debut, and Bastinac says he deserves to keep his spot.
"I don't think he lost a hit-out. He was great," he added.
"He's come into the club just as you want a player to. He's just been head down, and worked his absolute butt off to get a game in our NAB Cup side, and become the best player he can. Full credit to him."
Jordan Gysberts is another who'll hope to hear his name read out on Thursday.
"He's been great. He's a really hard worker and trains really hard on the track and tries to get the best out of himself."
Bastinac and his team-mates will hit the new training track at Aegis Park on Friday in their final session before the match.