For the second consecutive week, an undermanned Gold Coast SUNS lineup showed plenty of fight and bravery but was on the wrong side of the ledger when the final siren sounded.

After last weekend’s two-point loss to Melbourne, the SUNS led at every change before going down to top-four side GWS by eight points at Metricon Stadium, beaten in the last five minutes of the game.

In years gone by, the playing group may have walked off the field with their heads held high, satisfied with their efforts.

However on Saturday night, there was a clear sense of hurt and disappointment among the 22 that left everything they had on the park.

A gallant effort, but not good enough.

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“Yeah, (there’s) plenty of hurt amongst the boys but we just spoke in there that we’ve got to move on and bring that same effort, that same intent next week,” midfielder Mitch Hallahan told BLK RAW after the game.

“The boys deserve a win off that effort. We were right in it, right until the end, and we just couldn’t finish off in the end but we’ll take a lot out of that, move forward and be motivated for the next three games and finish the year off well.”

Standards within the Gold Coast Football Club have been pushed hard over the last two seasons and while fans and pundits have given the SUNS credit for their performance after the game, Hallahan conceded honourable losses are no longer acceptable internally.

“We’re all maturing as the year’s gone on and particularly the last 18 months,” he said.

“I think we’ve really grown. Honourable losses they mean nothing, the boys will hurt from this one, but we’ll take a lot out of it and drive to win the next three.”

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The SUNS have three games remaining in 2016, with bottom-placed Essendon the next cab off the rank at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

Despite their ladder position, Gold Coast won’t be showing any complacency towards the Bombers.

“We can’t take them lightly. We’ve got to come in with the same intent, same effort,” Hallahan said.

“We prepare well now, we’ve got eight days so the boys will be rested and ready to go by Sunday.”