Gold Coast’s horror start to the season has continued with a 102-point hiding from GWS

PUNCH drunk Gold Coast face the nightmare scenario of having the knockout blow for their season delivered by a former teammate.

PUNCH drunk Gold Coast face the nightmare scenario of having the knock-out blow for their season delivered by a former team mate.

The Suns are winless after a 102 point hiding by GWS in front of 8022 at Spotless Stadium Saturday night and their season is already on the brink of ruin.

The pressure is building on coach Rodney Eade but he shrugged it off last night saying “I’ve been through it all before.’’

It was not the time for panic, or drastic measures.

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“Hard work is the only way I know, there is no magic formula,’’ he said.

Their lack of depth has been exposed, they had a collection of big names terribly out of form in the 24.16 (160) to 8.10 (58) belting by the Giants and will run head first into a revitalised Jaeger O’Meara and a winless Hawthorn outfit desperate to get its season started at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

O’Meara, who controversially walked-out on the Suns during last year’s trade period after missing two full season of footy due to knee injuries, gathered a career best 36 disposals to be the Hawks’ best in their 24 point loss to Adelaide.

The Gold Coast Suns will catch up with Jaeger O’Meara this week. Picture: Michael Klein

But the Suns have bigger problems than O’Meara’s desire to make a point.

On Saturday they conceded seven goals in the opening quarter for the second week in a row.

They were walking while the Giants were sprinting. When the men in orange laid a tackle it stuck while the Suns fell off their attempts too often.

Trailing a tackle count by 18-12 in a quarter when the opposition is 38 points in front says a lot about desire.

Eade rejected suggestions his players lack passion.

“They’re burning inside,’’ he said.

“It manifests itself in different ways and people can misinterpret that, but they do care.

“The confidence is gone at the moment and we have to reinforce it.’’

What Eade couldn’t deny was that some of their biggest names can’t get near the footy.

Gary Ablett had no impact on the game.

Aaron Hall has lost all traces of competitive drive.

An elite midfielder cannot survive on uncontested footy alone.

And the Suns are wasting their best asset. Tom Lynch fought to the end, as he did last week against Brisbane.

Peter Wright is beaten in a marking contest. Picture: Getty Images

But it is a thankless job playing forward for the Suns at the moment. The entries inside fifty were shocking.

It hurts when the opposition forwards are getting close to twice as many opportunities, like the Giants did last night.

One positive was that a few Suns who had dark nights in the Q Clash were able to redeem themselves.

Steven May completely shut-down the dangerous Stevie Johnson in the opening half.

Jack Martin also bounced back from a derby to forget to be a constant threat.

Originally published as Gold Coast’s horror start to the season has continued with a 102-point hiding from GWS