Rodney Eade blasts Gold Coast players for not playing as a team in shock loss to Essendon

SUNS coach Rodney Eade says not even two controversial and potentially match-turning rushed behinds against Essendon on Sunday would have quelled his disappointment.

SUNS coach Rodney Eade says not even two controversial and potentially match-turning rushed behinds against Essendon on Sunday would have quelled his disappointment in a six-point loss littered with individual errors.

A week after finishing within eight points of premiership contenders GWS with what Eade considered one of the most complete team performances of the season, the Gold Coast lacked cohesion to fall to the bottom side.

The grand piano was always poised to hit a side that had managed to produce quality performances over the past eight weeks despite having as little as 25 players available for selection for the Round 21 game.

But Eade said it was a poor attitude that cost the Suns, hinting at his frustration in not being able to swing the axe at the selection table because of low availability.

“We didn’t bring the required effort. We went against the game plan and there was a lack of discipline at times,” Eade said.

“I didn’t think the pressure was up to our normal standard and I think it was a mental aspect.

“Sometimes players think it’s going to happen or maybe ‘I’m going OK’ so that was disappointing some players wanted to be individuals.

“There was a lot of individuals who wanted to do their own thing and not kicking to right spots and right options, doing their own thing which was probably the most disappointing part.

“We haven’t got many coming back so we have got really the same side so there is not much we can do at selection unfortunately.”

Disappointed Suns players leave Etihad Stadium after losing to 18th-placed Essendon. Picture: Colleen Petch

Gold Coast were clearly second best but despite trailing for most of the game by a slim margin they remained in striking distance throughout.

The Suns couldn’t buy a kick at goal but were robbed of any chance to secure an undeserved win late after two controversial rushed behinds.

Essendon’s Conor McKenna booted it through the goals from around 20m out before Martin Gleeson followed suit soon after and despite the AFL providing clarity to clubs on the issue recently both were let go.

Eade considered them definite free kicks but said it wouldn’t have changed the way he felt about the performance.

“I thought two of them were definite free kicks, I don’t know why they weren’t paid,” Eade said.

“The first one was from nearly 20m away. I don’t know how that’s missed to be honest and the next one is probably borderline — there probably wasn’t enough pressure. To me that was pretty black and white.

“We’ll certainly be seeking some clarity on that.”

Originally published as Rodney Eade blasts Gold Coast players for not playing as a team in shock loss to Essendon