Gold Coast senior coach Damien Hardwick has criticised his team's contested pressure and defensive intensity as the Giants ran rampant over the Suns in a 35-point beatdown on Saturday afternoon.
GWS kicked the first three goals of the game and didn't look back, dominating in the heat of the contest, finishing +8 in contested possessions and +18 in tackles despite having the bulk of time in possession.
Hardwick found himself most disappointed in the Suns inability to win battles at even-strength, often finding themselves "a metre off" their opponents, as well as their struggles to prevent GWS from converting in transition from their defensive half.
"That was poor as we've played for a long period of time. It was disappointing, we were beaten in all facets of the game," Hardwick said post-game.
"In particular, contests and defence we felt we were a metre off all day. When you're that metre off, you can't compete. Against good sides, they carve you up defensively.
"To give up 10 goals, I think it was, from the defensive half. It was something we spoke about, we knew we had to take it away. I knew we were in trouble early when they kicked four [from defensive half] in the first quarter. It was a disappointing day."
The Suns plan to take away the Giants launches from their defensive half did make sense on paper, as the Giants have scored over 44% of their points from chains originating in their defensive half this season.
However, Hardwick felt the Suns failed to play in a proactive manner that the plan needed to succeed.
"We didn't play the moments well enough; we were just off. Couldn't win our one-on-ones, two-on-two or three-on-three scrambles and the Giants did. That was the difference in the game," Hardwick said.
"Our midfield contested ball was down, our pressure through the middle part of the ground was down, so unfortunately when those two things collide, you're generally in a bit of trouble. We couldn't rectify it at any stage.
"We weren't reading cues. The fact of the matter is, I think we're one of the fittest sides in the competition and we didn't read the cues well enough.
"The Giants were that metre in front. Sometimes when you're reactive and not proactive, you're on your heels as compared to on your toes... That isn't us."
The Suns will look to immediately recuperate with the hopes of clinching a top four spot at the last gasp, with matches against Port Adelaide (away) and Essendon (home) to come.
