Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has dismissed the suggestion Brisbane's recent dominance in the AFL's Queensland rivalry is creating a mental block for the Suns.
The Lions have won the past six meetings between the two clubs by an average margin of 51 points.
In the most recent meeting of the two teams, the Suns held a 27-point halftime lead before being blown away at the Gabba as the Lions kicked 13 second-half goals to just one to win by 49 points.
Dew however believes that sequence has more to do with Brisbane's emergence as a genuine top four team rather than any psychological hurdle for his team.
"We've been in chasing-them-down mode," Dew said.
"It's another opportunity to test ourselves. It's great for Queensland footy.
"We like to think that we're not far away. Last year we were going really well at half-time (just) couldn't sustain it, so there's our challenge.
"They have been able to sustain four-quarter efforts more often than not.
"Our guys are up for the challenge and it's always a good game, plenty of spirit, physicality.
"That's good, bring on Sunday."
Last weekend's loss to in-form St Kilda has the Suns at 2-3 but in their two games at home this season they've pushed Melbourne and inflicted the only defeat on Carlton in 2022.
Dew says Mabior Chol (groin) and Jack Lukosius (knee) remain a chance to feature against the Lions having trained earlier in the week but a final decision on either will depend on how they fare at Thursday's main training run.
"The main session is where we start to lift the bar and we'll set the bar really high on both," he said.
"Take no risks. AFL's too hard now.
"If they're not right, they're not right, it becomes pretty obvious. We'll just keep an open mind."
The Suns coach also gave David Swallow the all-clear despite suffering a dislocated finger against the Saints.
