Gold Coast will channel the hard-knock career of unfashionable forward Nick Holman as the stalling Suns navigate what coach Damien Hardwick thinks is an inevitable rite of passage.
Hardwick's side slumped to 7-7 on Friday after a fourth-straight loss, with Hawthorn's 16-point win built on centre clearance dominance and three ruthless, quick-fire runs of goals.
Holman, 31, was recalled for his third game this year, kicking a late goal and providing trademark pressure and composure in his 150th AFL game.
His recall followed a week in which the Suns attracted arguably unprecedented scrutiny regarding team harmony and the future of star players.
"We're under the blowtorch, we know people are talking about us and just want to get back to winning ... but we'll keep rocking up," Holman told AAP after, for once, not finishing a contest with his forehead bloodied and bandaged.
