Swallow conceded the Suns had let themselves and their supporters down in the 73-point thrashing at home, which left them with a 3-6 record and their finals hopes all but gone for another year.

But the 28-year-old Gold Coast foundation player, who was one of few constants through the darkest periods in the expansion club's history, is optimistic about the future under Stuart Dew.

"I haven't felt like we've performed that badly for a long time," Swallow told reporters on Tuesday.

"It certainly wasn't the way we wanted to go about our footy and we didn't bring that intensity for four quarters.

"Brissie are a good side and they were able to stick it to us, but I think with the body of work we've put in this year we certainly feel like we've improved.

"We're obviously developing but I think we do have the guys there coming through underneath.

"I suppose it's just about the consistency now for us and guys delivering week in, week out.

"The weekend was probably our worst performance for the year but we'll be looking to bounce back."

Gold Coast face another difficult task against third-placed Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

They have lost Jack Bowes to a hamstring injury but are set to regain Touk Miller (suspension) and Nick Holman (concussion).

GMHBA Stadium has never been a happy hunting ground for the Suns, who have lost on all six previous trips to the Kardinia Park venue by an average margin of 78.3 points.

The visit in July last year saw young gun Matt Rowell go down with a season-ending shoulder injury in a 37-point defeat.

It was one of just two times the Suns have got within 50 points of the Cats on their home ground.

"It is one of the tougher road trips but we're certainly embracing it," Swallow said.

"We feel like it's the perfect opportunity to bounce back as a group and show what we're about.

"What better way than to go down to Geelong and try to knock them off."

Australian Associated Press