Consistency key as Suns seek to shake unwanted tag

Gold Coast will have to shed their reputation as the AFL's Jekyll-and-Hyde team of 2024 if they are to break through for a maiden finals appearance this season.

And when better to start the process than in a sold-out clash against the reigning premiers?

The Suns (7-7) welcome Collingwood (8-4-2) to People First Stadium on Saturday, hell-bent on rectifying their wild swings in performance.

"We're playing a really good opposition and it's a sell-out, which is really important, but we want to get back on track," Suns coach Damien Hardwick said.

"We've lost two in a row and need to make sure we play our best footy.

"We think it's not too far away and we understand there's going to be some ups and downs.

"But it's important that we get that consistency of performance that we're craving at the moment."

Gold Coast's roller-coaster season has them unbeaten at home (7-0) and winless away (0-7).

Their contrasting fortunes haven't gone unnoticed at Collingwood, with premiership coach Craig McRae acutely aware of what his side is up against.

"It's their clearance game," McRae said.

"There's a drop-off in winning clearances away and the impact of that compared to home, and contested possession.

"Those things are hallmarks of everybody's game and it's something that we really need to have high intensity around.

"We've got to get to work on that ... because they're incredible around the clearances and we're going to have to match them in that part."

Collingwood have surged into the top four for the first time this season as their premiership defence gathers steam.

They will be bolstered by a quartet of flag stars - Jordan De Goey, Brody Mihocek, Scott Pendlebury and Oleg Markov - returning from injury against Gold Coast.

But small forward Lachie Schultz will sit out after battling gastro this week.

The Suns have lost Brandon Ellis (calf) but welcome back leading goal-kicker Ben King, who missed one match after a knee injury scare.

King has kicked 38 goals this season, almost three times as many as his nearest teammate.

Leading goal-kicker Ben King returns for the Suns against Collingwood. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

"He's a very good player, a great leader, and his ability to hit the scoreboard is something we need," Hardwick said.

Gold Coast are hopeful of setting a record home attendance at Carrara on Saturday, with tickets sold out well in advance.

The current high stands at 24,032 fans for the infamous clash with Collingwood in 2014, when Gary Ablett Jr injured his shoulder in an incident that cruelled the Suns' finals chances that year.

"The challenge is set," Hardwick said.

"We've got a crowd coming up of Collingwood supporters that are going to be loud and brash and all that sort of thing, which is what makes sport great.

"But we've got to fill the stadium from our point of view, too."

Collingwood have won their past three clashes with Gold Coast, including a 78-point mauling at Carrara last season.