AN 85-POINT loss one week, a 108-point shellacking the next – they are the sort of results that will get "trade Tom Lynch" tongues wagging.
As speculation mounts the out-of-contract Gold Coast star could be on the move at the end of this season, Suns coach Stewart Dew has a different perspective.
After his side's 20.14 (134) to 4.2 (26) defeat to Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, Dew disputed another heavy loss would help Lynch make his mind up.
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"We think we've shown a fair bit this year," Dew said.
"If you look at the last two weeks it hasn't been great but in terms of a football club I think we're creating a really good environment for players to succeed.
"At times we're going to throw them in the deep end and get some results like this but in order to move forward I think we need to.
"We need to face up to it. We don't want to shield people away from the big world of AFL footy.
"Now, we want Tom to be part of that and lead the way, as we do all our other leaders."
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The young Suns were routed from start to finish at Spotless Stadium, with key forward Lynch (eight possessions) barely touching the ball.
This followed a similarly disappointing Gold Coast performance against Geelong in round 11.
Lynch – who has booted only seven goals in seven games this year – is enduring a frustrating, injury-interrupted 2018.
WATCH Stuart Dew's full post-match media conference
However, Dew said the big man's contract talks and status as a high-profile player at the Suns would not be a factor in dissecting what is undeniably a personal form slump.
"Tom would be the first one to say 'don't leave me out of it'," Dew said.
"At different times, we've grabbed certain sections of players and he's been involved in that. In fact, he's got a thirst for it.
"For me everyone is the same and that's how I'll be and that's how Tom would like his coach to be."
Gold Coast fielded an inexperienced midfield in the contest and lost the clearances 54-36 and contested ball 185-134.
Among the youngsters given a run in the engine room were Ben Ainsworth (24 games), Brad Scheer (eight), Will Brodie (five) and Jack Bowes (21). Touk Miller (71) and Lachie Weller (58) were also there.
Dew described the result as a "huge learning curve" and said the comprehensive belting started off the field.
"When it happens that early in the game, it's mindset," he said.
"In the last quarter if it happens you can maybe see physical elements to it.
"But we'll be more interested in what's their mindset going into a game like this on the back of last week? What's their mindset when the opposition kick a couple in the second quarter? How can they influence the game? How can they influence teammates?
"We've got a lot of area to grow with our leadership in terms of that."
