Seven Suns could be axed after AFL loss

Up to seven players might be dropped from Gold Coast’s AFL side following their 35-point loss to Melbourne.

Suns coach Rodney Eade was dismayed after another poor performance and on Saturday the Suns throw away a 20-point lead.

The veteran coach said his players are at times struggling to follow instructions.

“A lot of the times yes (the messaging is getting through), sometimes not,” Eade said.

“The scoreboard reflects that last bit, so we need to get some players in who can do that.

“We’ll have six or seven available next week which will help.

Gary Ablett (shoulder) and Jack Bowes (illness) are expected to return when the Suns host West Coast next Saturday, and Trent McKenzie, Callum Ah Chee, Jesse Longergan and Matt Rosa are all in contention.

It will be a tough test for the Suns who’re desperately trying to get their year on track from a three wins and six losses start.

The season has already been full of ups and downs, with wins over Geelong and Hawthorn perhaps overshadowed by the young squad floundering chances in other fixtures, including against Melbourne.

“It was just our turnovers, we gave the ball back to them,” Eade said.

“We made a couple of mistakes that cost us goals and players went back into their shell a bit and didn’t use the ball the way they were supposed to, were conservative and made mistakes.”

The oldest coach in the competition said when he addressed the team at three quarter time he reiterated the message of simply trying to win the game.

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