RODNEY Eade says he's never seen anything like the current injury crisis that has beset the Gold Coast midfield, but is confident the Suns will resurface a better team.
Earlier this week Dion Prestia (knee) joined captain Gary Ablett (shoulder), Jaeger O'Meara (knee) and David Swallow (knee) on the indefinite injured list.
The quartet not only represents the Suns' four best midfielders, but four of their best runners.
"I haven't seen anything like it, but it is what it is and we've got to work through it," Eade said on Friday morning.
"People say games are won and lost in the midfield.
"Not only talent, but your ability to run and cover the deck and we've tended to struggle in that area.
"The players' spirit is still up, which is a positive. I've got no doubt once we get through this we'll be better for it."
Eade highlighted North Melbourne's struggles against Fremantle last weekend when they played without Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells and Nick Dal Santo and lost by 73 points.
"It shows if you lose your key engine room, it makes things very difficult."
His more immediate concern though is playing a wounded premier, with Hawthorn coming off its fourth loss of the season against the Sydney Swans.
Eade said he expected no relaxation from a Hawks team desperate to get their season back on track.
While almost no-one gives the Suns any chance of victory in Launceston on Saturday, Eade said he was keeping the focus simple.
"You've got to sell hope and you've got to go with a mindset you can win the game and that's our mindset," he said.
"We obviously realise the enormity of the event and enormity of the challenge but by the same token we'll keep the focus areas pretty narrow.
"Our effort we thought was down last week. We certainly have to address that."
After missing the past month with a knee injury, Nick Malceski will return in the NEAFL this weekend.
Eade said the former Swan would need at least one – and possibly two – matches at that level to regain fitness and would not be rushed back into the seniors.
The Suns are not the only Queensland team to be smashed by injuries early in the season.
The Brisbane Lions have also confronted their own injury crisis, led by Pearce Hanley (hip) and Daniel Merrett (hamstring).
Here's a best 22 from players sidelined through injury in both Queensland teams.
FB: Jaden McGrath (BL), Daniel Merrett (BL), Clay Cameron (GC)
HB: Nick Malceski*(GC), Rory Thompson (GC), Pearce Hanley (BL)
C: Jack Redden (BL), David Swallow (GC), Dion Prestia (GC)
HF: Jarrod Garlett (GC), Sam Day (GC), Sam Mayes (BL)
FF: Michael Close (BL), Daniel McStay (BL), Josh Glenn (GC)
Fol: Trent West (BL), Gary Ablett (GC), Jaeger O'Meara (GC)
Int: Brent Staker (BL), Luke McGuane (BL), Daniel Gorringe, Jono Freeman (BL)
* selected to play reserves this weekend
