Gold Coast midfielder Touk Miller says his coach's stern words have adequately addressed their horror homecoming and it's up to the players to salvage the season and convince star teammate Tom Lynch to stay.
The Suns were thumped by 85 points in a nightmare return to Metricon Stadium on Saturday after nine away games to start the AFL season, with former skipper Gary Ablett running amok for Geelong.
Coach Stuart Dew, in his first game at the helm on home soil, was livid as he questioned their work ethic and care for each other.
The crushing loss also did the club no favours in their task of retaining free agent Lynch, who is being courted by Melbourne clubs and yet to declare his future.
"I hope for our sake we get a lot more wins so he's more confident in his decision," Miller said.
"I'm not sure what's going on inside his head, as much as everyone would love to know.
"He is a superstar and obviously got plenty of football ahead of him but it's completely his decision and I'm not too sure where he's at."
Miller said Dew was right to criticise the side but they hadn't wallowed in despair since Saturday.
"We didn't go for the whole doom and gloom operation; the fact is we have 11 more games to look forward to and prove ourselves," he said.
"We went through (a game review) this morning, there were a few clips ... less about the structures and more about protecting ourselves as a team and family.
"I know the boys tried hard, even though I know people debated whether we were giving effort."
Nearly 18,000 fans turned up on Saturday and Miller pleaded for them to keep doing that, despite the side dropping to 3-7 ahead of Saturday's away clash with Greater Western Sydney.
Compounding issues, key defender and co-captain Steven May (ankle) will be missing for at least four weeks.
"Just keep turning up, I guess that's what we're going to do," Miller said when asked if he had a message for supporters.
"The tables are going to turn, I honestly have so much confidence in the team that something special is going to happen."
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