Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade remains confident his AFL side can claw their way out of their current rut, even after Saturday’s “shock” loss to Greater Western Sydney.

The Suns were no match for their younger rivals, who outran and outplayed them to walk away 66-point victors on Anzac Day in Canberra.

Eade’s men are yet to win a game over four rounds this season – two of which have been without superstar Gary Ablett.

But he’s trying to stay optimistic.

“Yeah I’ve certainly got confidence that (we can bounce back),” he said.

“This was a bit of set back today, a bit of a shock.

“I thought probably the resilience at times I think could be questioned, late in the quarters, with some individuals.

“There are some holes there, so we need to teach and we need to learn and we need to educate.”

Eade lamented his side’s inability to maintain their energy levels after seemingly getting the better of the Giants at the start of each quarter.

“Guys tried, but at times we seemed to fatigue and we seemed to lose concentration,” he said.

“So whether that’s a fitness thing, whether that’s a youth thing, whether that’s a confidence issue, I don’t know.”

The coach didn’t want to compare the Suns with the Giants, but said the form of the competition’s two youngest franchises would oscillate.

“Life’s not linear and football’s not linear, so it’s not going to be an upward curve the whole time,” he said.

“Obviously we’re in a bit of a dip, but I imagine all clubs at some stage are going to hit a dip.”

The coach reiterated the need for on-field leadership, namely Ablett, but said that wasn’t an excuse.

He said senior Sydney recruit Nick Malceski was among his underperformers, admitting he was struggling.

“He hasn’t really played well at all this year – he’s not a lone ranger, but is probably in a rough patch at the moment,” he said.

The Suns play their next two games at home, with Brisbane up first on Saturday.