The Suns (3-9) have remained mostly competitive throughout that run of losses but missed a chance to pressure North Melbourne when the Kangaroos kicked seven first-quarter goals last weekend.

The Saints (5-6) are coming off a bye that followed their big loss to Port Adelaide in Shanghai, while Suns coach Stuart Dew is still ruing last weekend's slow start.

"That was the disappointing part, that we didn't give ourselves a chance," he said.

"Our starts have been pretty good all year so looking to recapture that against the Saints.

"We know the start's going to be important; they would have talked about it a lot as well and seen what North did. It's going to be good to watch."

Alan Richardson's men pipped the Suns by one point in the season's opening round but the Suns then won their next three games in equally tight fashion.

That plucky run seems long ago but Dew insists morale remains high.

"Clearly when you get that win that gives you that little bit of extra spring in your step so obviously we'd love to get a win to validate some of our efforts and to show the boys they are making gains," he said.

"What we see in day-in, day-out they're making a fair few gains and it just hasn't translated yet.

"In different stages through the year we've tested teams, just not for long enough."

Richardson is confident his side has dealt well since that heavy loss and is prepared for a persistent Suns effort.

"I thought that they hung in there pretty well (against North Melbourne), and that's been their go," he said.

"Not unlike us they have to work pretty hard to score and that's been a bit of a challenge for them but in terms of opportunity, they've been really competitive for a long time without victory.

"We need to respond. We let ourselves down and our fans down and our guys are really keen to do something about it."

Australian Associated Press