GOLD Coast coach Rodney Eade has challenged his top SUNS to replicate their effort and intensity on display in the team's 86-point thumping of Hawthorn.

David Swallow (34 disposals, nine clearances), Gary Ablett (36 and 10, plus two goals) and Jack Martin (23 touches, three goals) were in the SUNS' best, leading the way in the midfield and constantly moving the ball inside 50.

Eade said the club was challenged both internally and externally after its 102-point loss to the Giants, and the team's leaders responded well.

"It's more about getting the leaders to be able to drive us, and talk to the players about that's our standard," Eade said.

"Do we want to be a good side or do we want to be an up-and-down team that's obviously down near the bottom of the ladder? It's a tough competition so we just need to turn up every week and roll our sleeves up."

After a week of intense pressure and speculation about his playing future, former captain Ablett was prominent throughout the match, despite some close checking from Hawthorn's Will Langford.

Eade said while Ablett wasn't at his very best, he was happy with his direction on the ground.

"I thought his performance was quite good, I mean, not to his normal excellent standard, I don't think he kicked the ball exceptionally, [but] he had a good goal.

"He kicked a couple, but I thought he got his hands on the ball, he worked harder around the contest – which is his bread and butter – and he led the way, his leadership was very good."

Jarrod Harbrow was included in the team for his first game of the season and impressed with both his dash from the backline and his one-on-one defensive efforts.

Eade said he provided some stability and experience to the team.

"We're a very young team even though we've been going for seven years. Round one we were the youngest, I would have thought we were close again this round, and just to get some experience … sometimes there's a tipping point where we've got too much youth, and I think Harbrow's inclusion really straightened us out.

"I thought he was fantastic tonight."

Eade was pleased with the intensity and pressure the SUNS applied in what was the club's biggest ever win, but said the challenge remained as to how to get the SUNS to replicate their efforts in their next match against Carlton.

"If you could bottle that, it would be great. I suppose as a coach you always think psychologically, do you pat them on the back and get comfortable or do you get them on edge again?"