GOLD Coast coach David Lake is sniffing an upset ahead of his team's clash with Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon.

Lake said despite the Suns' first-up loss to Melbourne, he saw enough to believe his team could spring a surprise against the Magpies, who took care of Carlton in the opening match of the season.

In an otherwise tight tussle against the Demons, Gold Coast gifted three goals through 50m penalties that ultimately was the difference.

"I'm pretty comfortable to be honest. I reckon we're a massive chance," Lake said on Wednesday afternoon.

"If we can stay on task and reduce the errors, we're right in the game, we know that, we saw that.

"I think Melbourne are a top-three side and we were able to stay in that game that long.

"We should feel good going into Collingwood."

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Lake said the Suns had improved in both the midfield and forward line during the off-season and there was evidence of it in round one.

They had 10 scoring shots, kicked more points (35) than any game in their short history, and matched the Demons at contested ball and clearances.

He said the additions of Bess Keaney, Alison Drennan and Lucy Single had made a huge difference around the contest, while Sarah Perkins' two-goal debut gave the forward half a whole new look.

"We left last season thinking we needed to create more scoring opportunities, but the first part of that was getting the ball in," Lake said.

"We needed to have more energy through the midfield to get the ball in deeper.

"I thought for the better part of our game our defence was pretty strong and our midfield performance was probably the best one we've had in our short life."

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Annise Bradfield is racing the clock to overcome a knee injury to take her place to face the Magpies.

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