TOM Lynch will line up against the Western Bulldogs in Cairns on Saturday, but only after receiving a painkilling injection to a troublesome hip.

The Suns co-captain admitted earlier in the week his play this season had not reached the lofty heights of his All Australian form in 2016, but offered up no excuses.

Lynch said every player was playing sore by round 18 and described his own inconsistency as frustrating.

Speaking on Thursday, Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said the star forward had been having problems with a hip.

"He hasn't trained much this week and has had an injection to ease some problems there," Eade said.

"He is all right to play.

"I think he has got his hands to the ball a lot, he just hasn't held onto them.

"Whether that is affecting his mindset I'm not too sure, but he is certainly not making any excuses and he has had enough opportunities to mark the ball, he just hasn't marked as well as he has in the past."

Lynch has kicked 37 goals this season (he kicked 66 last year) but is considerably down on his marking and contested-marking numbers.

With Lynch's fellow captain Steven May to miss with a hamstring niggle, Eade confirmed No.7 draft pick Jack Scrimshaw would debut against the Bulldogs.

Eade said despite the "very difficult" task of making the top eight, Gold Coast players had been in good spirits this week and were eager to head north.

"We don't look at them like they are the defending premiers, we take them on their merits," he said.

"Whether the team is last or first it doesn't worry us too much.

"We know their strengths. They started to get a bit of form back last week so we know it is going to be difficult.''