Gold Coast AFL coach Rodney Eade expects his depleted Suns may hit a low ebb in the availability stakes this week after more additions to their already extensive injury list.
The Suns lost Peter Wright with a corked calf before Saturday's 91-point away loss to Greater Western Sydney and could be without defender Adam Saad for four games due to a hamstring injury.
Captain Gary Ablett and Tom Nicholls both suffered concussion, though in the case of the former, Eade described the problem as `slight'.
He said Touk Miller and Dion Prestia probably shouldn't have played, with the latter hurting his ankle again, but the Suns were running out of fit alternatives.
Eade said the situation was different to last season when the Suns campaign was crippled by a massive injury toll.
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"Last year we were probably in a situation where we knew they weren't coming back," Eade said.
"Some troops will return (this season), but we're losing more on the run as well.
"I thought this (week) was the low ebb, but with more today, probably next week might be the low ebb."
Eade thought the Suns would be in a situation where they could be forced to promote players prematurely, including young Queenslander Jesse Joyce, who was close to the best in the Suns reserves side which played in the NEAFL on Saturday.
"He's not ready for senior footy, but we might have to play him," Eade said.
"That's not fair on the kid, but we may have to play him and that's going to be a positive in the long run, but it's going to be tough on him initially."
Eade insisted morale remains good among the players despite admitting their confidence was low after five straight defeats, the last three by more than 70 points.
"I've been really pleased with the spirit of the group, I think they've held it together pretty well like we did last year," Eade said.
