GOLD Coast coach Rodney Eade says some of his players are suffering fatigue from trying to compensate for the club's mounting injury toll. 

The depleted Suns copped an 83-point hiding from top-four aspirant Richmond at the MCG on Sunday after conceding 14 of the last 17 goals and incurring further injuries to key players Tom Nicholls (knee), Jack Martin (concussion and gashed head) and Charlie Dixon (ankle). 

The trio is likely to be ruled out of next week's home clash with Essendon, with ruckman Nicholls likely to become the 10th Sun sidelined for the season after suffering a suspected posterior cruciate ligament injury. 

Eade said Martin seemed lucid post-match and was a chance to be available, adding that Dixon's history of recovering quickly from problems with both ankles could be offset by the fact he played with pain for more than two quarters.

Click here for Rodney Eade's full media conference 

The Suns coach revealed that "a couple" of other players who need operations were continuing to play because the club didn't have viable replacements, and certain players were struggling to cope with the extra workload, particularly the midfielders. 

"A few of the guys who have had big seasons … I think the load got a bit too much," Eade said post-match. 

"Probably Kade (Kolodjashnij has) been playing really well, 'Saady' (Adam Saad), I think 'Rischa' (acting captain Michael Rischitelli) – those guys are starting to fatigue a bit." 

Even taking into account the Suns' injuries and fatigue, and the fact Eade could see why Richmond was in contention for a top four berth, the coach was still disappointed with aspects of his team's second-half fadeout, including positioning at stoppages. 

"Some players have stepped up, which has been great, (but) some other players have really probably exposed themselves, which is really disappointing," he said. 

"So we have put a lot of education and training into those guys, but they don't seem to be grasping their opportunity."

Eade praised his bookends – defender Steven May for his job on Jack Riewoldt, and key forward Tom Lynch, who was a terrific target despite being wasteful with 3.3. 

"Steven May today was outstanding. He has grown in his leadership," he said.