The Gold Coast SUNS went down by nine points in a tense affair at Metricon Stadium against St Kilda on Saturday afternoon.

It won’t go down in the record books as the most entertaining game of football, but it was a tight tussle all afternoon, with no side able to grab the ascendency

Senior Coach Stuart Dew admitted post game that the SUNS just weren’t at their best tonight.

“We just couldn't quite get it right all night, to be honest,” Dew said.

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“Even though we we're in front at three quarter time, we we're just glimpses of the team that we have been.”

“St Kilda played really well, but I don’t think we fired our best shot this afternoon, which is disappointing.”

After absorbing a lot of pressure early in the third term, the SUNS were able to kick three quick goals to take a 15-point lead into three quarter time.

“The third quarter I thought we re-settled after a bit of emotion in the second.”

“But then, the last quarter we lost our way and they out worked us.”

Dew had a simple but strong message post game, the SUNS shouldn’t be unhappy sticking to a formula that saw them win the past two games. 

“It’s a lesson at different times, to not get bored with the process.”

We're really confident that this group's matured and we don’t put this down to our age or games played.”

“We weren't playing great and were in front at three quarter time but we we're in a winnable position once again and weren’t able to close the game out.”

The SUNS are set to be without Nick Holman for their next match, after he was unable to finish the game, bravely putting his head over the footy in a late contest.

“Although it just happened in the last 90 seconds, the word is that it's a concussion.”

“It’s disappointing for Nick and he’ll just have to rest and get better and look after himself.”

“He puts his head over the ball all the time, he's a ripper for us, plays for the team no matter what.”

The SUNS will regroup this week as they prepare to take on the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium next Saturday afternoon for the QClash Cup.