McKenna said if the Suns could match one of North's blistering opening quarters on Saturday night, they would back themselves late in the match.
North have lost by less than a goal in four matches this season after leading each contest during the final quarter.
The most recent capitulation came when the Roos coughed up a 30-point lead inside the final 10 minutes against Adelaide in round nine.
Although his own team folded poorly by conceding nine goals in the final quarter against Geelong last weekend, McKenna was bullish about his team's chances on Saturday night.
"We start hard with them, match them early on and I think the doubts will start to creep into them," McKenna said ahead of Gold Coast's Friday training session.
"I think they've shown their inability to sustain games. One of our messages will be about the start. They've won all but one of their first quarters.
"You say mentally - I don't know what goes on, I'm not in charge of North Melbourne - but I think they're vulnerable after quarter-time, let's be honest."
McKenna said the Suns would not be sitting back and trying to defend in the first quarter, but rather would be taking North head on with its attacking brand of footy.
He said the Kangaroos could easily be in the top four or five teams they way they've played, but Gold Coast would enter the game undaunted after strong showings against the Hawks and Cats.
But McKenna said the Suns wouldn't sit back and wait for a North Melbourne fade-out.
"They're not just going walk out and stop trying after quarter-time, we've got to control that," he said.
"The message to our players is how we want to play, how we can put them in that position physically and mentally.
"It's about how we do it, not so much what they do."
Ruckman Charlie Dixon has recovered from an ankle injury and will play his first game in a month while Liam Patrick and Jack Hutchins have also been included.
Jared Brennan has been named as an emergency after missing one week with a knee injury.
Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
