A sub-standard effort by the SUNS in their 120-point loss to Geelong on Saturday night has been well documented, but their lack of polish with the Sherrin was equally as damning.

Gold Coast operated at just 53.3% kicking efficiency, ranked 18th in the competition for Round 6. Meanwhile, the Cats went at a kicking efficiency of 75.4%, a glaring disparity between the two sides that was ultimately reflected on the scoreboard.

There will be a heavy emphasis on the ‘basics of football’ on the training track this week according to SUNS captain Gary Ablett.

“Effort’s only one part of it. We need to bring that every week and that’s something that we can control,” Ablett said.

“The other side of it is probably just continuing to work on the basics of football. Skills, running patterns, body positioning, all the things that I’ve been speaking about for a long time and I think Geelong showed on the weekend they’re on another level.

“Effort with no method is just useless so we need to continue to work on that, we need to implement those drills at training and for us to be a good side we need to be better in those areas.

“Hopefully from there it turns into a better performance this weekend.”

READ: I need to get back to my best footy - Ablett

The task facing the SUNS this weekend won’t be easy, with a much-improved Melbourne outfit venturing to Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Ablett demands 100 per cent effort from his teammates and believes the playing group owes the fans and members that have supported the club through thick and thin since its inception.

“We’ve spoken about it before, we want our home ground to become a fortress where teams just don’t want to travel because they know it’s going to be a tough game,” he said.

“That’s what this weekend is going to be about. We’ve got to make sure that every one of the 22 guys that are playing is giving 100 per cent effort and we’re giving back to our supporters that come along and support us every week.

“We’re so thankful that they’ve got behind us since the start in 2011 and it’s about time we gave something back.”