MIDFIELD coach Ben Mathews expects Melbourne to come up against a quick, attacking Gold Coast under new coach Rodney Eade.

Mathews, who was formerly on Gold Coast’s coaching panel and played under Eade at the Sydney Swans, said it would be a big test for the red and blue when it hosts the Suns at the MCG on Saturday. 

“They’re (Gold Coast) a very, very talented young side across the board and they’re gaining experience year upon year,” he told Dee TV.

“Most of those young fellas that were 18, 19 or 20 [years old] are grown up – they’re 22 or 23 [years old] and they’re expecting themselves to play really consistent footy [and] we saw a lot of that last year. They made big steps last year and unfortunately for the team, they fell over late in the year, which is understandable, given they’re a young side.

“They’ll want to really get their season off to a great start, especially under a new coach in ‘Rocket’ (Rodney) Eade. He’s got a real history of improving sides quickly and he did it at the Swans, when he took over there and he did it over at the Bulldogs as well.

“He’s got a distinct style of play that’s pretty attacking and he likes moving the ball quickly. I would envisage that’s the way he’ll want them to play and he’s got the group of players to be able to do that at the Gold Coast.

“They’re attacking and they’ve got good speed and they’re a highly skilled [team].”

Mathews said further development in midfielders Jack Viney, Dom Tyson and Jimmy Toumpas will benefit Melbourne this year, plus the acquisition of Heritier Lumumba and Ben Newton in the middle.

“We’ve been really impressed [with our midfielders]. We’ve added some players into the mix,” he said.

“We’re expecting a strong showing from our midfield. These guys have been prepping for the past five months and training together. They’re excited against proving themselves against a good young midfield.

“The way they’ve gone about it over the NAB Challenge has been positive and it needs to keep improving, like all sides. But we’re confident in what they’ve produced so far.”

Mathews said the build-up to round one had been full of energy.

“It’s been good so far. We’re really excited and the players will be a little bit anxious coming into round one and seeing how they’ll go against live opposition for four points,” he said.

“As coaches, we’re excited to see how we go. We’re really impressed by how they’ve gone about their training for the last five or six months.

“They’ve really put in, they’ve listened and they’ve learned and now it’s about … putting into practice. We’re looking forward to seeing how they’ll go.”

Mathews said Melbourne is eager to start its season on a strong note with plenty of physicality.

“A win would be nice, but we’re expecting a disciplined, contested hard match of football,” he said.

“That’s how the Gold Coast will want to play and what they’ll pride themselves on and it’s certainly how we want to play.

“We want to make it a really tough showing and make sure Gold Coast comes out of the game knowing that they were in a physical match, [with] hard tackling in a contested match. That’s what our midfield will be striving for. They’ve been doing it in the pre-season and we envisage they’ll be able to do it again this week.

“The four points would be lovely – and it’d be a great way to start the season.”