By Michael Whiting

Forward Danny Stanley says Gold Coast SUNS needs to redeem itself against Adelaide on Saturday after last weekend's "step back" against the Brisbane Lions.

The young GC SUNS were read the riot act after the 62-point loss against their Queensland rivals, with coach Guy McKenna questioning their effort post-match.

Captain Gary Ablett also spoke to the players in the dressing room after the match and said the performance was not acceptable.

Despite playing the previous three matches against heavyweights Collingwood, St Kilda and Geelong, Stanley said there were no excuses.

"We just didn't play our brand of footy and we didn't really get going at any stage," Stanley said.

"Being our first season we've taken a few steps forward and that was a bit of a step back on Saturday night but each week we just have to keep looking to improve. We're not looking forward to the finish line, just looking to improve."

Like McKenna, the 23-year-old was not using fatigue as a reason for the poor showing, saying he felt fine after 21 rounds of the club's debut season.

"We've played a few big name teams in Collingwood, St Kilda and Geelong, and the performances we put up against them were better than the one we dished up on Saturday night," he said.

"I guess it was a bit of a lapse from us all and we need to go out there and redeem ourselves."

Stanley said the GC SUNS were too cautious against the Lions and would rectify the issue ahead of Saturday's match against a resurgent Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.

The Crows have beaten Port Adelaide, the Lions and suffered an 11-point loss against Geelong since Mark Bickley took over as caretaker coach following Neil Craig's resignation.

"We'd love to get a win at home in front of the home crowd," Stanley said.

"We just have to change the way we went about it last week and go out with some real enthusiasm and take the game on - they're playing some good footy and we have to go out there and match them."