Gold Coast SUNS coach Rodney Eade has praised his young and inexperienced side's ability to grit their teeth and fight out the game against Sydney on Saturday night, particularly when it appeared like getting ugly at the main break.

With more than half of the first-choice side missing, including some key posts and wise, older heads, the SUNS could have been excused for rolling over in the second half with the game all but over by half-time.

The gulf in personnel was widely scrutinised in the build up and throughout the coverage with media analysts delving deeper into the injury crisis at Metricon Stadium than they ever have before. The absence of class and experience in Carrara would almost be amusing if it weren’t so costly.

But despite the clear gap in class, Eade was content with his side's effort and desire throughout the contest – two elements that have been criticised throughout the opening ten weeks – particularly in the second half when the Swans began the third quarter 44 points in front.

“I was really pleased. I was pleased for the first half of the first quarter – we missed some shots and the last half of the first quarter they got away from us and we ended up letting them out,” Eade told reporters following Gold Coast’s 52-point loss to Sydney on Saturday night.

“I thought our last half was terrific. We outscored them in the third quarter. A lot of the indicators we really got back on our terms. It would have been very easy to fade away against one of the best teams in the competition (and) with the team we had.

“I thought to the kids' credit they really showed a lot of spirit, I was really thrilled. They followed instructions. Last week against Hawthorn, they followed instructions for 70 per cent of it and gave us an opportunity. When they get away from that, we tend to get opened up.”

Throughout the injury epidemic at Metricon Stadium, the growth of Henry Schade, Jesse Lonergan, Kade Kolodjashnij and first-year players Touk Miller and Adam Saad has been one of the major positives. And once again on Saturday night, this was a sizeable plus to come out of the defeat.