Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says the penny has now dropped for his players that they no longer need to rely on Gary Ablett to win.
For years the 'no Ablett, no SUNS' tag has justifiably followed the club, but last week's breakthrough victory over Fremantle at Domain Stadium went a long way to dispelling it.
The dual-Brownlow medallist kicked the game's first goal, but by his lofty standards was relatively quiet with 23 disposals.
It was emerging midfielders Aaron Hall (32), Alex Sexton (25) and Jesse Lonergan (16 and a team-high five clearances) that helped shoulder the load.
Eade said the emergence of Hall, Lonergan and Touk Miller – who will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury – late last season was now bearing fruit.
READ: Still a lot of areas to improve- Hall
"It gives us some quality and we're able to rotate through there," the coach said on Thursday morning.
"They share the load, and I think the players are getting belief that they don't have to rely on Gary.
"It's a matter of everyone contributing. That was the pleasing thing last week, that we had an even contribution across the board."
Eade said the unbeaten SUNS had been quick to refocus after victory over the Dockers and could not afford to drop their standards against Carlton on Saturday night.
He said the Blues were unlucky round one losers against Richmond and the 60-point defeat at the hands of the Sydney Swans last start did not reflect their effort.
"I think they've showed some good form actually," Eade said.
"They're quite enterprising the way they play, they can move the ball quickly and they've got a really strong midfield.
READ: Eade marks midfield role for jumping Jack
"If you don't bring the effort required, you won't win. It's an industry where you've got to move on pretty quickly.
"We've had the win and it was good what the players said publicly after that – it's on to next week.
"You can't afford to look back too far, so we've got to move on."
Eade confirmed winger Matt Rosa would return to play the Blues after missing last week with a corked calf.
