Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has relayed a "funny" message to his troops ahead of the crunch clash at GMHBA Stadium against Geelong on Saturday.
Fremantle's shock victory over the Suns left the Queensland club searching for answers, and Hardwick believes there is one staring at him in the face.
"This might seem a funny thing to say, but I've been through this before, we've got to stop kicking to 'Kingy' (Max King) as much," Hardwick said.
"He's getting double-teamed. He's getting triple-teamed.
"We've got to distribute our targets a little better. It might be one step back to go two steps forward.
"We know if Kingy is in a one-on-one contest, he's pretty good. One v two, it's a little more challenging, and he's getting the ball to ground."
Hardwick had the pleasure of coaching Jack Riewoldt as arguably the sole key forward at the club during his Richmond days, making it predictable for oppositions to understand where the ball was heading.
But a realignment at Tigerland netted impressive scoring results, and the three-time premiership coach is hopeful for the same outcome at his second club.
"What we've got to understand is just because he's (King) not kicking goals it doesn't mean he's not doing his job," Hardwick said.
"As long as he doesn't get beaten in a contest โฆ we're happy with that game.
"We've got to help him out a little bit as well. Our delivery inside 50 โฆ with him being double-teamed is tough."
The Suns and Hardwick head down to Kardinia Park with a combined 11 losses and no victories.
Since Gold Coast's introduction to the league, they've lost eight encounters to the Cats, with three of those reaching 100-plus point margins. Hardwick's three opportunities against Geelong have all failed.
The sheer home ground advantage already provides minor benefits to the hosting club, but the dimensions at the venue, which have been well documented, also suit the Chris Scott style of play.
"Playing at the Cattery is tough at all times," Hardwick said.
"It's a great litmus test for our group about how far we've come.
"Every game is another opportunity to improve and build on our identity. We're really looking forward to the challenge.
"They're an outstanding football club, well-coached, well-drilled, very experienced in what they do and how they operate.
"People often talk about how skinny the Cattery is, but it's the length that, in my view, challenges people the most.
"There's some things we do they'll be worried about. We've got an exciting side, I think that is capable of challenging the best sides, and we're going to get a look at that this week."
