Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Gold Coast Suns losing streak has forced captain Noah Anderson to reject talk of a split between players and coaches as the club prepares for Saturday’s home AFL clash with Collingwood Football Club.

The Suns have lost five straight games and sit half a game behind Collingwood in the middle of the ladder. Their poor form has placed every part of their game under review, especially after they kicked only three goals in last weekend’s loss to Fremantle Dockers.

For more AFL list and form analysis, read Fremantle Dockers Player Management Plan Unveiled as Top Spot Secured, while official fixtures and ladder updates are available through the Australian Football League website.

Anderson Rejects Disconnect Talk

"Obviously, I saw reports that there was a disconnect between the playing group and the coaches. But I think it was inaccurate," Anderson said on Tuesday.

"There's frustration. If you ask any workplace or any sporting club around the world, if you're falling short of expectation there's going to be frustration.

"We worked through that, we spoke about it and I feel like as a club, we're on such a good page. We're really aligned to move forward."

Gold Coast won their first final last year, which lifted expectations entering this season. Their current slide has brought heat on the midfield, forward movement and leadership group.

Petracca Backed As Suns Seek Response

Anderson also defended Christian Petracca, saying the high-profile recruit has not caused the midfield’s drop in output.

"He's doing a really good job. He's brought amazing energy, and a real passion and drive to get us better, and I think he's doing that," Anderson said.

"I don't think he's been short of the mark. As a midfield group, we've been below-par this year and that's not because he's come in, at all.

"We all need to lift around him, to help him out as well."

Contract talk around Ben King and Bailey Humphrey has added another layer to the pressure. Anderson said it was his job as captain to help make Gold Coast a club players want to stay at.

"We're not shifting blame, it's on us to perform. We're coming up short, but I'm pretty confident we're going to get a result pretty quickly."