Suns' search for AFL consistency continues

The Suns looked every chance against the Magpies, who had lost ruckman Brodie Grundy to a long-term knee injury and had struggled with a bout of illness that went through the club last week.

But the Suns were turnover kings in the first quarter on Sunday, gifting Collingwood a seven-goal burst that effectively decided the match.

The 25-point loss left the Suns wallowing with a 2-5 record and with tough games to come against Sydney (away) and Fremantle (home).

Coach Stuart Dew said they would meet the next fortnight "head on".

He pointed to fellow expansion club GWS, who rallied on Saturday with a big win over Adelaide.

"We have to go up there (SCG) with a positive mindset - get back home, re-group, we have a short turnaround," Dew said.

"When you're in our position, every game's difficult.

"But as we saw there can be turnarounds, whether it's GWS - everyone was talking them down, writing them off, then they go and have a fantastic away win.

"Each week is a new week."

Amid the post-game frustration, Dew said the Gold Coast senior players were adamant that their best was good enough.

Indeed, after their poor first term, the Suns matched the Magpies and several times drew within a couple of goals.

"Keep working away, they have full belief - their words, not mine," Dew said of the player leaders.

"They said 'we believe in what we can do, we just have to do it more often'.

"We have changed our style significantly from last year, that's obvious.

"So we're still searching."

Gold Coast lost defender Connor Budarick late in the third term with a rolled ankle.

Australian Associated Press