Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has challenged his midfield to respond group after a sub-standard performance against the reigning premiers.
The Suns' onballers were overpowered in their last-start loss to Brisbane, smashed in clearances (47-28) and contested possession (147-125), ultimately resulting in a 17-point loss that should've been more.
And Saturday's task against the Western Bulldogs isn't a walk in the park, with the Victorian club boasting the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Matthew Kennedy, Tom Liberatore, Ed Richards and Joel Freijah.
The Bulldogs are arguably the most in-form team in the competition, and their clearance game reflects that, ranking second for differential (+5.8) in the league, only behind the Lions, and winning contested possession (+3), turning their dominance into +19 from scores from stoppage.
Hardwick said the Suns have narrowed their focus on improving their contest game, as they prepare for the "tough conditions" at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
"Contested ball and clearance just wasn't to the level that we pride ourselves in," Hardwick said.
"As a coaching group (we've got to be) stronger on the fundamentals, the understanding of the fundamentals and more importantly, the execution of the fundamentals.
"We weren't good enough in that facet last week, we'll get to work this week."
On-ball dynamo Matt Rowell has been well held in the past fortnight, with Josh Dunkley and James Jordon limiting him to 16 disposals each outing.
Hardwick put the umpires on notice after he believes the former Pick 1 "doesn't get a lot of protection", saying he has become a "target" for the opposition.
But despite Rowell's low output, Hardwick noted it's incumbent on the entire midfield group to "lift".
"We've got to get some better performances from our midfield group, full stop," Hardwick said.
"Last week's game was not reflective of their season, unfortunately, we were disappointing across our whole midfield group. We've got to lift."
In-form forward Ben Long will come into selection consideration but could sit out Saturday's clash, with a five-day turnaround to come between the Bulldogs and Hawthorn.
Gold Coast have a successful 6-0 record in Darwin over the last three years and will spend the next fortnight in the Top End.
