There were a few more smiles at Gold Coast SUNS beach recovery session on Monday morning after Saturday's narrow loss to the Sydney Swans in Blacktown.

After an indifferent NAB Cup campaign that included defeats against an understrength Geelong and fledgling GWS in the past fortnight, the GC SUNS bounced back at the weekend.

They were level with the Swans midway through the final term before conceding some late goals to lose by 19 points.

Teenage ruck/forward Daniel Gorringe was one of the standouts, kicking three goals, and said the GC SUNS had a long, hard look at themselves after the previous two matches.

"We were pretty disappointed about our efforts," he said.

"We took note of how poorly we performed the two weeks before this game. We made a real effort to turn things around and get some form before the start of the season.

"We made a real effort to get after it."

Gorringe may have helped coach Guy McKenna solve his forward line dilemma ahead of the round one clash against NAB Cup premiers Adelaide, with an eye-catching performance against the Swans.

Used mostly in the ruck in his seven appearances last year, the 200cm, 88kg Gorringe showed he could go forward, take a mark and kick goals.

With vice-captain Nathan Bock suspended for the first two matches of the premiership season, and Sam Day still making his way back to full fitness from a knee injury, McKenna is searching for a stable forward combination.

"Growing up, I played forward but haven't had a lot of time to play forward here, being more preferred in the ruck and a few other positions, but to go forward is something I really enjoy," Gorringe said.

"There's so many ruckmen here, you have to try and do something that's going to make you different to the others, whether that's going forward or going back - you've got to try and add something to your game that makes you different."

Another boost for the GC SUNS at the weekend came with the form of their reserves, who had a resounding win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.

The match saw clever small forward Brandon Matera complete his first hit-out of the year and come through unscathed.