Damien Hardwick got exactly the response he was looking for following three losses from Gold Coast's past four matches.

The SUNS' pressure was evident from the opening minutes, with chase down tackles by key forwards Ben King and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan that led directly to goals indicative of the home team's hunger.

"I thought it was a mature performance," Hardwick said.

"It was gritty, not necessarily pretty. 

"Sometimes they're the games you need to win, which was great."

The SUNS won without Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell, who missed with an ankle injury, with Hardwick saying he was "probable" to face St Kilda in Darwin next Saturday night.

"He'll probably train on Wednesday and then we’ll have a better understanding," he said.

"We want to make sure when he’s right to go he’s right to go. He’ll give himself his best chance, but we’ve got to be mindful sometimes to give the players the best chance to play long-term."