Asked about the performances of his leaders Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio, who were both outstanding, Hardwick quietly but firmly put the acid on their teammates to lift, and he wasn't afraid to name names.

"The disappointing thing for us second-tier mids didn't stand up," he said. "I thought we'd get more out of Reece Conca and Brandon Ellis today, but unfortunately they just didn't lift their game to the standard that was required. Whereas for [the Suns] guys such as Prestia had a good game, Rischitelli as well."

The forwards weren't spared, either. "I thought Jack [Riewoldt] was well below his best. As was Ty Vickery.

"We just didn't make the most of our opportunities inside 50. I think the count in the last quarter was 21 inside-50s to nine, and we were probably attacking pretty hard. But, as tends to happen, the reality is if you don't make the most of your opportunities they [go] the other way.

"We were probably a six out of 10 tonight. Take nothing away from Gold Coast – their pressure was terrific, they're a much improved side; we've just got to play a hell of a lot better than what we've dished up tonight."

Guy McKenna didn't miss either, but that was in praising his players after his team dug in after losing its best up-and-comer, Jack Martin, as well as Charlie Dixon in the first half, putting it down to the developing physical and emotional maturity of his side.

The Suns were already missing some very good players last night – their best defender Rory Thompson, best ruckman Zac Smith and silky midfielder Harley Bennell among them – but it didn't matter. Steven May and excellent debutant Clay Cameron held down the Suns' suspect defence, and forwards Tom Lynch and Sam Day stood tall in attack.

"We're trying to get Dixon, Lynch and Day forward, and I think we saw a glimpse of that in the first quarter and a half, the result we can get out of that with our midfield on top and quick ball movement forward," McKenna said.

"Sam Day on Chaplin was crucial early for us, and then we had to swing him into the ruck to help out Tommy Nicholls, and rucking/centre half forward, and Tommy had to go back with two blokes down, and their bodies aren't conditioned for that … For them to get through the game I thought was pretty special."

"The efforts of Danny Stanley – I think they were 0-8 inside 50s early in that last quarter so we were under siege – and the young backline, with Clay [Cameron] and Sean Lemmons were holding up as well as they could.

"We sent David Swallow down there and I thought he almost turned the game for us – a couple of his dashes off half-back, through the wing, when everyone was looking around for an inspiration … We'd normally turn to the fellow who wears number 9, but Junior's ability to stand up was pivotal, I thought, late in that second half."

Martin dislocated his left shoulder, an injury McKenna said the hyped West Australian had had before, and would receive scans during the week.