GOLD Coast coach Stuart Dew says his team showed a lack of care for each other on Saturday night and had to change its weekly habits to improve.
Dew ripped into his team following the 85-point loss to Geelong, saying they "needed to hear what it was".
He said the team had let down its supporters.
He said they failed to deal with Geelong's intensity.
He said they allowed former skipper Gary Ablett too much space.
And he said they needed to take a look at Geelong skipper Joel Selwood to learn what it was like to be hungry every single day.
"It was a big occasion for the footy club … fantastic support and we let them down tonight, no doubt," Dew said.
"We need some more hard work Monday to Friday, we can't flick a switch on the weekend.
"I was very clear after the game on where we're at now and where we need to get to and what lies beneath that.
"It's not a week of hard work, it's not two weeks, it's every day.
"I referenced guys like Selwood and (Luke) Hodge, they never think they've made it in AFL footy and they never think they've done enough.
"I think that's where our guys need to look at those guys that have had success and there's still that hunger that burns.
"We gave them a pretty clear message after the game."
Dew was particularly disappointed with the Suns' second quarter.
They conceded 7.6 to a solitary behind and watched as Geelong racked up 123 disposals to 55 – 92 of them uncontested.
He said there was no use tip-toeing around the facts.
"It's always a balance but I think we tipped over the edge tonight where they just needed to hear what it was.
"I didn't think in the second quarter there was enough care for teammates.
"You've got to be honest to improve, no doubt."
Ablett roamed free, finishing with 37 disposals, three goals and bragging rights over his former club.
"They're champion players for good reason," Dew said.
"There was one stoppage where I think a screenshot we've got in our back pocket, where he's by himself and I agree, everyone should know who number four for Geelong is."
