GOLD Coast was overrun in the final term against Richmond after some of its players failed to handle the pressure, says coach Rodney Eade. 

The Suns led by three goals after Matt Rosa dribbled one home midway through the fourth quarter. From that point on however, the Tigers booted six goals to one to finish victors by 17 points at the MCG.

It meant Gold Coast lost its ninth consecutive match ahead of its bye, before coming up against reigning premiers Hawthorn in Tasmania.

Five talking points: Richmond v Gold Coast 

"The last 15 minutes were disappointing. Some of them (Suns players) have never been exposed to that, being able to dig deep in a close game," Eade said, while flanked by his three grandchildren.

"I think a couple of them froze.

"(We) turned the ball over when we shouldn't have. The third quarter was really the way we want to play. So for 90 per cent of the game, I was pretty pleased.

"It was basic, and I mean really basic, errors (that cost the Suns)."

Gold Coast sits fourth-last on the ladder, and after an injury-plagued season the list of unavailable players is shortening.

With more talent available, Eade said providing strong effort was not the standard anymore.

"You're 15-odd points up in the last quarter and you lose by (about) 15, it's just not acceptable," he said.

"It's certainly one that got away, and we're certainly disappointed in that.

"They got a free kick from the centre bounce. It was Tom Nicholls, punched or connected (with Trent) Cotchin in the back of the head. That was very undisciplined. It cost us a goal and it's just not acceptable.

"A few other mistakes we made obviously cost us badly."

He pointed to a particular trait that would help his side improve.

"For us to grow and be a better team, we've got to be ruthless," Eade said.

Tom Lynch was arguably Gold Coast's best, finishing with four goals and 10 marks. Fellow tall forwards Sam Day and Peter Wright combined for three goals.

WATCH: Rodney Eade's full media conference

Eade was satisfied with how the trio operated, in what was the sixth time ever all three have been in the same line-up.

"They worked well together. They were quiet in patches. They marked the ball OK. Obviously the risk with all that is the ball being run out of the forward 50 easily, but I thought we were able to keep it in there for most of the time," Eade said.

Defender Kade Kolodjashnij was left unconscious after an incident early in the third term where Richmond forward Sam Lloyd kneed the Sun in the back of the head.

Eade said with the week off, Kolodjashnij would be likely to face the Hawks as long as there were no issues with his neck.