GOLD Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna has conceded the time for excuses has past, publicly slamming his young playing group for the first time this year following a passionless 62-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

McKenna has maintained a patient disposition immediately following some of his team's heaviest defeats in a difficult season but was clearly not about to tolerate and inexcusable lack of effort against the Lions in the second southeast Queensland derby.

"It's difficult to manufacture something when there's no effort and that was the biggest thing out of tonight," McKenna said.

"You can look at it being a long season and boys playing men and all those kind of things. I think we've tried to manage the boys as best we can.

"As a coach and as a club we set high standards, not unrealistic standards, and there weren't too many out there who flew the flag."

The inept display is expected to result in significant changes as the Suns try to break their Metricon Stadium duck against Adelaide on Saturday night, with Karmichael Hunt one of a number of players tipped to earn a recall.