Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has ripped into his team following their 27-point loss to Fremantle, describing it as one of their most disappointing displays of the AFL season.

The Suns booted 1.8 in the first half of their error-riddled display on the way to the 11.10 (76) to 6.13 (49) loss at Optus Stadium.

The defeat leaves them wallowing in 14th spot with a 4-8 record ahead of next Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.

Gold Coast have copped hidings at the hands of the Bulldogs (62 points) and Brisbane (73 points) this year, but Dew rated the loss to the injury-hit Dockers as one of the worst.

"It's as disappointing a game for us for the year," Dew said.

"We sit here saying that was poor as a footy club.

"To come out and play well against Hawthorn and then to do that - we didn't give ourselves a chance.

"The look, the visual of our players.- we didn't look hungry enough. We have to cop that. We didn't make Fremantle earn that victory anywhere near as much as they should have. We have to wear that whack this week.

"The start was OK, but OK doesn't cut it.

"We had a feeling early on it was a struggle and we were hanging on. At halftime we had nine guys without a tackle."

Suns forward Ben King had booted 32 goals across the first 11 games this season, but he was held goalless by returning Dockers defender Alex Pearce.

King's day was so bad that he even missed a goal from 15m out in the dying minutes.

"That happens, and what can you do?" Dew said.

"I just thought, 'that sums our day up'. It's a disappointing miss, but at the end of the day it's not the reason (we lost).

"We didn't help with the way we sat it on his head today."

One positive to come out of the match was the successful return of star midfielder Matt Rowell from his round-one knee injury.

The former No.1 pick only tallied 14 disposals and three clearances, but importantly he got through the match unscathed.

Rowell made an explosive start to his AFL career last year before being cut down by a shoulder injury, and Dew said it's important to give the 19-year-old time to find his feet.

"He started (his career) like a house on fire. There is no pressure to get back to being best on ground and kicking two to three goals right now," Dew said.

"But we think he is good enough to play his role. We managed him through and we'll keep stepping it up. As we step that up, his performance will step up."