RODNEY Eade was confident stand-in skipper Tom Lynch would slot his last-second goal to snatch a draw the Gold Coast coach says felt like a win.

Lynch kicked his fourth and final goal of the night in the final five seconds to pinch an unlikely 83-all draw against high-flying West Coast.

His shot from 35m on a 45-degree angle snuck inside the right-hand post.

Five talking points: Gold Coast v West Coast

Eade said he had "reasonable confidence" his stand-in skipper would deliver under the ultimate pressure.

"He's been a bit erratic at times, Tom. It only snuck in but I have confidence in the guy," Eade said.

"He was captain tonight and I think that's a recognition about where we see him in the leadership stakes at this club.

"And to go back and slot it - he wasn't fazed by it. I think he'll get a lot of confidence out of that as a leader as well."

Lynch's showing was just one bright light among many for the Suns.

Despite being severely depleted with the likes of Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli, David Swallow, Jaeger O'Meara and Dion Prestia all sitting in the grandstand, they thoroughly deserved their two premiership points.

Gold Coast was relentless for all four quarters – something that has eluded them for much of the season.

Fullback Steven May was among for the best players on the ground for his job in keeping Coleman Medal frontrunner Josh Kennedy to just two goals.

Eade described Harley Bennell's 28-disposal night as superior to the 39 touches he had against Adelaide last week.

"The way we have played, especially the last eight weeks, we've hung in there, hung in there - and we hung in there again, and got a half-result," Eade said.

WATCH: Rodney Eade's full media conference here

"From our point of view it's like a win and it doesn't mean much to anyone at the end of the day, but it's reward for their efforts.

"I think tonight, with a few guys carrying some injuries at the end of the game, they hung in there, and that was the pleasing thing, to be able to stick some tackles, be able to find a bit to run.

"That will reinforce the belief and that learning curve for young players that you've got to tough it out."

Key defender Rory Thompson suffered an ankle injury that Eade believes will sideline him for three to four weeks.