LAPSES at critical periods of the game cost an inexperienced and under-sized Gold Coast in the 54-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Cairns, says coach Rodney Eade.
With the Suns missing stars Gary Ablett and Steven May to injury, and key defender Rory Thompson (hamstring) a late withdrawal before the game, a young Suns' outfit matched it with the reigning premiers in periods, but conceded six goals to nothing in the final quarter.
Eade lamented the fadeout, but understood his young side is still coming to terms with what it takes to be consistent.
"We started well but just the end of the first (quarter) and the end of the second (quarter) hurt us a bit," Eade said post-match.
"The last quarter with an inexperienced and under-manned defence, we tired a bit around the ball, that's where they got on top.
"We started to make a lot more errors with fatigue. It's an area we as a club have got to improve our ability to run out games.
"They tried really hard, I think our second and third were fantastic, I was really pleased with them."
Five talking points: Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast
With May and Thompson unavailable, the Suns defence was vertically challenged, with Trent McKenzie the tallest at 191cm, and the playmaker had his hands full minding the hulking Jack Redpath, who stands 194cm and 99kg.
Runners Jarrod Harbrow (178cm), Jack Bowes (187cm), Alex Sexton (185cm) and Adam Saad (178cm) all toiled manfully down back.
Even 194cm first-gamer Jack Scrimshaw spent time trying to nullify man mountain Redpath.
WATCH: Rodney Eade's full post-match press conference
"With being inexperienced and being undersized, at times we got caught in the wrong position," Eade said.
"That's why Tom (Lynch went into defence) in the second quarter as much as anything, to help with that height factor."
Eade disputed it was a plan to target the Bulldogs physically early in the match, with key playmaker Jason Johannisen once again receiving a buffering from the opposition.
An incident on the quarter-time siren could see Lynch and Redpath come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel, as it appeared both players traded jumper punches.
"It's just part of footy I think (physical tests), we want to stand for something," he said.
"Even as a young group they took it upon themselves (to stand up to the Bulldogs), so that was pleasing."
