GOLD Coast hierarchy has penned an extraordinary open letter to the team's fans, describing their anger and disappointment towards players who have dragged the club's name through the mud in recent weeks.
Chairman John Witheriff and chief executive Andrew Travis apologised to members and partners for the "hurt and embarrassment" a series of off-field incidents had caused.
The letter has been delivered to members and been placed on the club's website.
They outlined why Harley Bennell was sanctioned on Thursday after his image was splashed over national newspapers in a Tasmanian hotel room in 2013, allegedly with illicit drugs.
It also came on the back of former player Karmichael Hunt reportedly naming Suns players as cocaine users.
Witheriff and Travis have clearly had enough.
"We know the actions of some players who have made poor choices and taken illicit drugs have hurt our club, our supporters, partners and the wider community," they said in the letter.
"We are both disappointed and angry that some players have made poor decisions and have failed to live up to our values.
"Those players have let down their teammates. They have let down the club and they have let down our supporters, partners and our community.
"We are sorry that these incidents have caused our supporters, partners and our community so much hurt and embarrassment.
"They don’t deserve this and neither do the vast majority of our playing group who are also upset by the revelations in recent times."
Witheriff and Travis went on to say the club would only be judged by its actions, not words.
They have spoken to the playing group and made it "crystal clear" what was expected of them.
"We wanted them to be absolutely clear as to what our expectations are," the letter said.
"That the level of behaviour we expect is what any member of this community is expected to follow.
"It’s not that hard.
"We know that, because most of our players have no problem living our values.
"We want to say that every single player is now very, very clear about what we expect. What we need. What our supporters, partners and the wider community want."
