RODNEY Eade expects Saturday's QClash against the Brisbane Lions to be a game of attrition, and says the Suns will have to adapt their style with bad weather predicted.

Rain has been lashing the south-east corner of Queensland in the past 24 hours, and the Bureau of Meteorology says Gold Coast can expect up to another 200mm prior to Saturday's 4.35pm game start at Metricon Stadium, although the showers will ease during the match. 

The Suns coach says his team will have to adjust from his preferred fast, play-on style of game to suit the conditions. 

"You've got to minimise your risks, and you want to get the ball going forward as quick as you can," Eade said on Friday morning. 

"It becomes a real grind of a game. Both teams are desperate for a win … the weather adds another element to that.

"There isn't anywhere to hide so it sharpens the focus on it (effort)."

Gold Coast was forced indoors to the adjoining basketball stadium at Carrara on Friday morning to complete its final training run, so heavy was the rain.

Eade conceded the effort in last Saturday’s 66-point loss against Greater Western Sydney was poor, and has responded by omitting ruckman Zac Smith and half-forward Aaron Hall. 

With David Swallow (knee) joining captain Gary Ablett (shoulder) and Jaeger O'Meara (knee) on the sidelines, Eade said the Suns would have to mix up their rotations in what is expected to be a dour midfield slog.

"Three of our four best midfielders are out, so that means we need to do something differently," he said.

"We're going to have to broaden our depth through there rather than rely on three or four players on the weekend."

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said wet weather was footy at its "purest" and said his team had focused on clean hands during the week.

"A lot of fumbling has crept into our game," Leppitsch said on Thursday.

"(Against West Coast) we were even in first possessions, but lost clearances by nine. You'd like to think they'd be even (this week)."

With Nick Malceski (knee) also missing for Gold Coast, Eade said it was one of the youngest teams he had ever coached.

Only two players (Rischitelli and the returning Jarrod Harbrow) have played more than 100 games, and 11 have played fewer than 30, including debutants Henry Schade and Josh Glenn. 

"Even if you're 17 or 31, you've got control over the way you go about the contest and the game," Eade said.

"You might not play well and you might make mistakes, which inexperience can do, but it's about the way you apply yourself.

"I think the name of the team is irrelevant this week, it's the way we go about it."