RODNEY Eade wasn't sugar-coating Gold Coast's loss to Carlton on Saturday night, saying a victory would have been undeserved.

The Suns were outplayed for most of the night, but put their noses in front following a Jack Martin goal halfway through the fourth quarter.

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Carlton steadied, kicking three straight goals to run out deserving 10-point winners. 

Gold Coast was lucky to get that close. 

"It was very poor wasn't it?" Eade said.

"Even though we got in front, we didn't deserve to win even if we got up and won. 

"We were beaten in contested ball (163-137).

"We looked as if we didn't want to work hard enough, that was the bottom line.

"We just got out-worked."

Five talking points: Gold Coast v Carlton

Eade said he had to find players that would be more consistent and pointed the finger at his leaders.

He was critical of co-captain Tom Lynch, who was goalless and kept to just 10 disposals and one mark by Liam Jones.

The last time Lynch was held to one mark – in fact it was zero – was more than three years ago against Adelaide.

"It was a bad one for Tom," Eade said.

"He seems to want to get into the wrestles and he needs to be able to move more and come at the footy, come at the leg. 

"We'll have a chat during the week.

"His confidence is probably down as well."

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But really, the problem was the midfield, with Gold Coast beaten in disposals (407-312), contested possessions and inside 50s (54-44).

Eade said his 5-7 team could not afford to think too far ahead.

"We're just going to take it a game at a time. 

"We're looking at consistency, we didn't get that tonight, and we're looking to bounce back next week and that's as far ahead as we'll look."

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