GOLD Coast coach Stuart Dew says his side's confidence won't be dented despite the Suns copping a 73-point hiding at the hands of Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday night.

The Suns arrived in South Australia chasing their first win over the Crows in 12 attempts and having surprisingly started the season with a 3-1 record.

However, they were no match for a Crows side that desperately wanted to turn its season around and get back in the winners list in star forward Eddie Betts' 300th game.

EDDIE STARS IN 300TH Full match coverage and stats

"Our confidence won't be dented," Dew said.

"It's not the result we wanted, but we're still looking for some shining lights and some things we can see a way forward and things we're trying to train.

"We came up against a serious footy club tonight, who had their backs against the wall and responded how top teams should."

The Suns stayed close to the Crows in a dour first quarter before the floodgates opened.

The Crows booted eight straight goals to take a stranglehold on the contest and imposed their will across the ground.

Dew was adamant the loss wouldn't undo the positive steps the Suns had taken in wins against Fremantle, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton in the previous three weeks.

"We'll have a look at it and learn from it, for sure," he said.

WATCH Stuart Dew's full post-match press conference

"They're a formidable opponent over here, we wanted to come and be consistent and compete, we did for one of the four quarters.

"We'll look at things we did in that quarter, but we obviously face things we did in the other three and look to improve.

"Their bigger bodies on the ball, they were able to get their hands free and get it out from those contested situations a little bit better than us."

Dew said ruckman Jarrod Witts (46 hitouts and 17 disposals), midfielder Brayden Fiorini (30 disposals, nine contested, seven tackles) and defender Pearce Hanley (29 disposals, 11 rebound 50s) – in his 150th game – led the way, while he was pleased with key forward Peter Wright, who booted three of his side's six goals.

The Suns now turn their attention to next Saturday's Q-Clash against Brisbane at Metricon Stadium.

"We know the Q-Clash at Metricon is always good," Dew said.

"Both clubs are licking their wounds tonight after the game, but we'll bounce back.

"We're really looking forward to that."