AFTER eight straight losses Gold Coast is not tired and does not need the bye, says coach Stuart Dew.

The Suns just need to get to Townsville to play St Kilda next weekend.

The Suns were blown off the park by North Melbourne on Saturday, conceding seven goals in an "uncharacteristic" first quarter before battling out the match to lose by 26 points.

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Dew said although he was proud of the fight, he didn't want to sugarcoat the horror start.

"It's an opportunity missed given the way we were able to play the last three quarters," Dew said.

"Our starts have been our strength.

"It's certainly not (lack of) ability. We will all have a look at our mindset leading into it on the back of a couple of tough games.

"There is disappointment there, no doubt."

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The previous three losses to Port Adelaide, Geelong and Greater Western Sydney have all been marred by poor fourth quarters following a competitive first three terms.

But playing the Kangaroos was a different story.

With vice-captain Touk Miller suffering a corked quad in the first quarter and being forced to play as a deep forward for most of the night and rebounding defender Jordan Murdoch (ankle) unavailable for the final term, Gold Coast missed some run.

However, they won the second and fourth quarters.

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Dew said he was pleased with the efforts of fourth-game forward Ben King and recalled midfielder Will Brodie, who gathered 30 disposals on a night he was forced to follow North bull Ben Cunnington.

Despite the losing streak, Dew said the last thing his team needed was a break.

"We don’t need the bye," he said.

"We need to get to Townsville pretty quickly.

"We ran the game out well. We are keen to keep cracking on."

Dew says he is confident of having midfielder Jack Martin available, despite being reported for a second quarter hit on Jack Ziebell.

"It was unfortunate but good ground ball technique," Dew said.

"He had his hands on the ball, got to the ball first.

"We don't like seeing anyone cop a knock but when it's a football action, that's the game."