Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick says he is pleased with how the club managed to claim the all-important four premiership points against Melbourne, but noted there is plenty of growth yet to come.

The Suns led by 46 points at the final change, but couldn't put away a plucky Demons outfit at People First Stadium, allowing the visitors back into the contest.

Melbourne's errant kicking in front of goal prevented a shocking upset, as finishing off games is still a major improvement for Hardwick's charges.

 Saturday, June 28 
Gold Coast WON BY 19 POINTS
People First Stadium
GC   
104
FT
85
   MELB

"It's the good to great we're after," Hardwick said.

"We're a good side. Great sides, that doesn't happen. You don't give up 5.6 in the final quarter from 12 (16) entries.

"The important thing is we got the win. The next most important thing is the growth that comes from that last quarter.

"We let a side back in a game we firmly had control of."

A fast-starting Gold Coast set the game up, but a poor efficiency in front of the big sticks kept the door slightly ajar.

The Suns have placed a focus on goal kicking, but Hardwick acknowledged that "sometimes too much of something doesn't necessarily guarantee a result".

"Sometimes just having the confidence of kicking your first goal," Hardwick continued.

"We do enough goal kicking. You always like to think you can do more, but I think the vast majority of our players are reasonably good shots.

"Sometimes luck just deserts you, and unfortunatrly it's come across mostly our forwards in the last couple of weeks."

Defender-turned-forward Connor Budarick has impressed in his role, deployed as a pressure forward to create opportunities in the front half.

Budarick, who replaced Nick Holman inside 50 for the Demons clash, gathered nine touches and kicked a goal, but Hardwick was buoyed by his team-first attitude and contest.

"Contest, pressure and craft," Hardwick said.

"We look at our skills matrix of what Connor has got. He's got those traits, so we've thought about it for a period of time, and we though we'd pull the lever.

"He's been playing down back. He's played wing. We gave him an opportunity.

"Nic (Holman) is a very imporabt player for us, but we thought we'd give this kid an opportunity to see what he can bring, and he's growing into the role."

The Suns ended a three-game losing streak to jump back inside the top eight, sitting a game off top four with a match in hand.

 Saturday, July 5 
Gold Coast WON BY 41 POINTS
Marvel Stadium
ESS   
74
FT
115
   GC

They take on Essendon at Marvel Stadium next week.