Gold Coast's three-match losing run has put their AFL top-four hopes in jeopardy, but coach Damien Hardwick is confident the squad is still on track for something special - even if it doesn't arrive this year.
Talk of tension between Suns players and the coaching staff has been a big talking point in the lead-up to Friday night's home clash with Hawthorn.
Hardwick played down any talk of worrying rifts, saying tension and "big-boy conversations" are just a normal part of a high-performance environment.
The Suns started as one of this year's premiership favourites on the back of recruiting Christian Petracca and winning their first three games this season.
Plenty of chinks in their armour have been exposed since then, and Gold Coast (7-6) will be in for another stern test against Hawthorn (8-4-1).
