RODNEY Eade says he had total confidence in Peter Wright to kick Gold Coast's match-winning goal against West Coast on Saturday afternoon.

With his team trailing by four points and just two minutes remaining, Wright kicked arguably the most important goal of the Suns' season. 

The 203cm forward took a strong overhead mark and then coolly converted from 45m to give the Suns a lead they would not relinquish.

WATCH: Wright's goal and the tense final minutes

"Yeah, he's a good kick," Eade said with a smile when asked how confident he was as Wright lined up for his shot.

"It showed his poise to do be able to do that, mentally.

"I was really happy for it to go through, put it that way." 

Wright had struggled for much of the day with 12 disposals, but his second goal proved invaluable, giving Gold Coast its fourth win of the season. 

Eade said he was most pleased with his team's ability to fight back in the final term after relinquishing a 14-point lead at the last change. 

The Suns had led Melbourne by 30 points during the third quarter last week before conceding 14 of the last 18 goals to lose by 35 points.

WATCH: Rodney Eade's full post-match media conference

"I think we'll still be inconsistent at times … but I think it was a step forward," Eade said.

"What we're trying to get through, to hang in there, there's going to be rough periods, and we just need to stick to what we know and hang in there mentally. 

"You'd like to think it would give them confidence going forward, but also confidence to hang in there when things aren't going well."

One player who has overcome his share of adversity this season is Pearce Hanley.

Hanley has overcome both personal tragedy (his younger brother died of cancer earlier this year) and physical setback (he missed six weeks with a heel injury) before playing his best game in Suns colours. 

Full match coverage and statistics

"I thought he was terrific," Eade said.

"Having that poise and ability to hit a target, make good decisions, really helps us. 

"I was really pleased for him. He's had a rough trot at the start of the year and hasn't had a good run at it." 

Eade has already turned his players' attention to next Saturday's game against Hawthorn at the MCG.

"We've got to start playing well away from home, when it's tough situations, like last week or when we're down or when teams are fighting back, we've got to dig in like we did today," he said.