Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick is confident that Sunday's 61-point loss will hold his club in good stead, despite what the scoreline suggests.
The Suns were unable to kick a goal in the first half against Adelaide, which is ironically what they inflicted on premiership fancies Collingwood a week earlier.
However, the Round 19 result was reflective of a topsy-turvy six weeks for the expansion club, which yielded three wins and three losses.
Hardwick, who is well aware of what it takes to lift the trophy at season's end, says that all "good sides" experience such performances on their way to flags.
Brisbane lost to Collingwood late last year. The Pies got smashed by Hawthorn in August the year before.
Throughout their three premierships, Richmond lost to Port Adelaide, Geelong and St Kilda by considerable margins coming out of "big boy month".
"Every good side I've been a part of gets a kick in the nuts at some stage. Today was our kick in the nuts," Hardwick said.
"There's some things in our game โฆ the scoreboard, we didn't kick very well, we didn't take our chances, and they did. You've got to take your chances.
"We had some outstanding looks going across the arcs, and we just stuffed 'em up."
But the Suns coach gave credit where credit was due, and also drew multiple similarities to Richmond's 2017 succession plan and the path the Crows are on.
Adelaide's recruiting boom has seen the West Lakes club rise from September-less action since 2017 to genuine premiership contention after they solidified their top-four placing.
The inclusion of Alex Neal-Bullen (three goals and 31 disposals), James Peatling (21 touches and seven clearances) and Isaac Cumming (16 possessions and six marks) has all had profound impacts on the Crows thus far.
"We underestimate Adelaide a fair bit," Hardwick said.
"They, as far as I was concerned, were the best recruiting class of last year. Peatling, Cumming and Neal-Bullen.
"I was very fortunate to have a side that I coached that brought in three really important players that led to a premiership. I reckon these guys are going to do a similar thing.
"They're a very good side."
Dashing defender Daniel Rioli will remain in Adelaide and be sent for scans on a leg injury.
Sam Collins and Lachie Weller are expected to return next week in the highly anticipated QClash against Brisbane.
