RODNEY Eade says he was never concerned about Tom Lynch's form slump, detailing how the Suns star had been carrying an injury the past fortnight.
After two goalless outings, Lynch bounced back to his best in Saturday night's 19-point win over North Melbourne, kicking five goals and having a huge influence with 20 disposals and eight marks.
Gold Coast coach Eade said his co-captain copped a knock in his back against Carlton two weeks ago that had severely limited him in that match and last week against St Kilda.
"It was quite debilitating for him," Eade said.
"He didn't show it, which I thought was quite tough of him.
"His back seized up and he struggled last week. He didn't train last week, hardly trained this week and could barely touch his ankles let alone his toes.
"He doesn't have to be the main man, he doesn't have to kick all the goals, and by not having that attitude and getting up the ground, and leading and providing a target and option for other players, he kicks five anyway."
Five talking points: Gold Coast v North Melbourne
Eade said the 24-year-old was still learning, but had no doubt he'd turn things around.
"I was positive he'd get out of his slump because he's got great character and he works hard."
WATCH: Rodney Eade's full post-match media conference
While Lynch was a big storyline for the Suns in Gary Ablett's 300th game, it was quiet midfielder Jarryd Lyons who shot to prominence.
Lyons finished with a career-high 39 touches (two more than Ablett's 37 in his milestone game) and drew high praise from his coach.
"I thought he was best on ground, I thought he was enormous tonight," Eade said.
"(He had) 23 contested possessions. It was also his work-rate off the ball, putting pressure on at the right times, he neutralised a couple of balls they were going to win … I thought he was our best."
Eade said he was most pleased with his team's ability to fight when North Melbourne made repeated efforts to get back into the game in the second half.
He said their physicality had also taken a big step forward.
"They had all the momentum and we made a couple of| silly errors, like usual, and it cost us, and then to kick those two, maybe three goals in the last six minutes, I think it showed the fight in the group," he said.
"We've spoken about the resilience.
"We've been exposed in that a few games this year where we've fallen away.
"It's the last seven or eight (games) we've had this fight, which is pleasing, it's something we're developing."
