The most fight from the Gold Coast on Sunday was arguably shown by coach Guy McKenna after the Suns’ anti-climactic AFL season ended with a 52-point loss to West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium.

West Coast kicked 11 goals to the Suns’ two in the third term to ensure a year that promised so much ended with the Gold Coast wondering what might have been.

Gold Coast finished with their most victories (10) in a year but still can’t shake off the impression they can’t win without skipper and dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett.

Considered top four chances after a 7-2 season start, the Suns (10-12 record) completed their late season stumble against the Eagles – their 10th loss in their last 13 games.

The Suns won only once after star midfielder Ablett suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in round 16.

But a defiant McKenna said they had taken a “step forward” in 2014 despite the damning statistics.

“We won eight games last year, so we improved by 25 per cent,” McKenna insisted.

“If you asked anyone in business or sport to improve 25 per cent I would think that is a pass mark.

“Unfortunately we didn’t make the finals.

“It certainly leaves a hollow feeling in the stomach but it will drive us next year.”

McKenna glared at one reporter who suggested it was “alarming” that the most fight on Sunday was shown by their 11-game youngster Jack Martin, who kicked four goals and had 19 touches.

“No I am not alarmed by that,” he said.

“It is our youngest and most inexperienced side so if a young fella is going to stand out this is probably the game.”

Gold Coast didn’t seem to fire a shot after Ablett went down in their stirring July 5 win over Collingwood.

But McKenna suggested they were on the nose weeks before Ablett’s cruel injury.

“I thought we were getting a bit smelly before he got injured,” he said.

“Just the appetite to work and ability to get across the ground, those sort of things.”

McKenna even turned back the clock and played the age card again when pressed on the Suns’ season finish, despite pumping up their finals hopes just weeks previously.

“Our average age is 22 against a side that averages 25,” he said.

“A top four side’s average is 26.”

And McKenna appeared to contradict himself when he admitted their season finish was a “step back”.

“Today’s result has probably summed up our second half of the season, a step back not being able to compete for the full four quarters,” he said.

“I thought we had moved past that.”