Rodney Eade hopes the return from injury of more key players will help his Gold Coast side find the win they couldn’t get against Hawthorn.

The Suns dominated for most of the first half at Launceston on Sunday, but jetted home 26-point losers against the experienced reigning premiers, who held on 12.14 (86) to 8.12 (60).

Eade said it was an improvement in form on the side’s previous 17-point loss to Richmond and that his players were sticking to the plan.

“It was a big step forward, but we just can’t be content with that,” he told reporters.

“We just can’t accept ‘close enough is good enough’.

“We’ve just got to be able to, like good sides do, capitalise on our chances. That’s either going inside 50 or going forward and also in front of goal.”

Forwards Sam Day, Tom Lynch and Peter Wright drew praise from Eade.

“Sam is a key player with us – he’s just a different player to the other two.

“He’s got real speed and now that we know he’s a different dynamic, I think we can play all three.”

When the Suns host St Kilda on Saturday, Eade hopes to welcome back three instrumental players in Jack Martin (back), Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) and Callum Ah Chee (calf).

“(Adam) Saad, I don’t think will be next week. He tightened up, we’ll probably have to give him another week. Jesse Lonergan is probably the week after,” the coach said.

After being 10 players down at the height of their injury crisis, Eade sees a light ahead.

“Morale has been terrific. The spirit among the group has really solidified,” he said.

The aim for the rest of the season was to help shape the final four and win as many games along the way as possible, Eade said.

“Once we start to get some players back, we can hopefully make some inroads with the wins.”