Stand-in skipper Dion Prestia has slammed his young Gold Coast teammates following Saturday night's QClash thumping, saying the SUNS aren't as good as they think they are.

Prestia was typically forthright after the 54-point loss to the Brisbane Lions, which leaves the SUNS precariously placed in ninth with five rounds remaining.

The emerging midfielder said the upset loss reminded him of the club's formative years, when heavy losses were regular.

"It feels like the first couple of years when we used to get smashed every week," a forlorn Prestia said outside the SUNS' dressing-room post-match.

"Especially a game we were expected to win, or at least compete, not lose by nine goals.

"It's a good lesson for the boys, a good wake-up call - we're not as good as we thought we were a couple of weeks ago. We've got to focus on next week."

The 21-year-old also said it was time to jump out of captain Gary Ablett's shadow.

It was the second poor performance in as many matches since Ablett's season-ending shoulder injury in round 16.

The 'no Ablett, no SUNS' cries will only grow louder, with Gold Coast winless from seven matches without the dual Brownlow medallist.

But it's the past two that are the main concern, losing against the Western Bulldogs and Lions when Gold Coast started warm favourites and produced significantly sub-par efforts.

Prestia said it was time break the drought.

"Gazza is a very good player and gets the hard ball, but it's time for the boys to step up," he said.

"He's not there. We're not using it as an excuse. We're not first-year players any more, so it's time for us to step up."

Prestia said there was no indication the SUNS would be so poor against their Queensland rivals, particularly in the first quarter when they were blown out of the water.

They had a meagre 36 disposals and took just one mark in a first quarter coach Guy McKenna described as insipid.

Prestia fired both barrels when describing what went wrong.

"They got in and won the footy first," he said.

"We were sitting off and expecting it to happen. It was the inside blokes not getting in and doing what they're paid for.

"The defensive side of the game is what we pride ourselves on.

"That's what we've worked on the last four years … it's unacceptable. Any team is going to tear you up if you're not accountable and don't show them respect."