Gary Ablett believes the Gold Coast Suns have learned how to handle the big occasions and are ready for Saturday night's historic opening of the new Metricon Stadium against his old side, Geelong.
Ablett says the Suns have been trying to keep the hype surrounding both their new home ground - and the prospect of facing the club that made the Ablett name famous - to a minimum to avoid the making the same mistakes as they did in their first match against Carlton in Round 2.
The build up surrounding the AFL's new kids on the block was intense and it took its toll on their rookie contingent as they were belted by 119 points, with the occasion clearly getting the better of them.
But this time around, Ablett says the Coast are aiming to use this latest milestone match as a performance booster.
"I think they can (spike performances) if you handle them the right way as a club," he said.
"There was a build up to our first game but we've handled it a lot better this week. I've been excited about this game for a few weeks (but) we've just got to make sure the boys approach this one like any other game."
"It's exciting playing our first game at home but we've tried to keep this week as normal as possible."
Saturday will be the christening of the Suns' brand new 25,000-seat home ground, which will be packed to the rafters to see the Coast's first game at Carrarafor premiership points.
Ablett said he was thankful that his first showing against the Cats was on the Glitter Strip - rather than down at his old stomping ground, Skilled Stadium, which is likely to hold a less than friendly reception for him when the Suns eventually head south.
"It's better being up here than it is down in Geelong. The crowd will be on our side. That'll help a bit," he said.
"If we can get going early and the crowd gets behind us, it's going to be a big advantage to us."
The Suns are coming off a two-week break after the bye last weekend and most players got the opportunity to spend a few days back home - including Ablett, who caught up with a few of his former Cats colleagues in Victoria.
"They've all been pretty good. I'm sure they'll play a few tricks throughout the day but we'll be ready for that and playing a few of our own," he smiled.
The 2009 Brownlow Medallist was effusive in his praise for the way his old club have reinvented themselves under coach Chris Scott.
"They're 8-0 now and that probably wasn't expected by anyone. They're a great club with great leaders and they're doing a fantastic job," Ablett said.
"It'd be amazing if we could give them their first loss. (Geelong) and Collingwood are the benchmarks of the competition at the moment so it'll be a good test for us."
But the Gold Coast skipper isn't expecting Scott to put veteran Cameron Ling on his tail to shut him down.
"I don't think they'll play a tag. They're not really a side that does that. They'll play a more offensive role on me and get someone running the other way," he said.