MATT Rowell has rubbished reports of a rift between him and Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick, saying the "hard conversations" at the club are necessary to correct their slide.

The Suns' hot start saw them installed as early-season flag favourites but now, after eight consecutive defeats, are 7-11 and in a fight to make the top 10.

Their fall comes after a breakthrough finals campaign last season and the addition of Melbourne premiership star Christian Petracca, who has also come under fire during the Suns' losing streak.

Reigning Brownlow medallist Rowell was set back by injury to begin the season and been involved in just two wins from his 11 appearances this year.

The 25-year-old was emphatic when asked on Tuesday to respond to suggestions his relationship with Hardwick was fractured.

"I was just very surprised," he said.

"There's no truth in that. Me and 'Dimma' have a good relationship, we're very honest with each other.

"We had a good chat after it all came out and were both as surprised as each other.

"There's been a lot of noise around that and there's definitely not any disharmony.

"The position we're in, there's going to be some hard conversations because we're not where we want to be."

The Suns play Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Rowell hasn't given up on the season though, claiming he still thinks they can win the flag if they can rediscover their best.

"We've never wavered from that," he said.

"That's almost a good thing, we have high expectations now.

"Maybe a few years ago we'd lose eight in a row and people wouldn't care.

"But we have to play to a better standard. It doesn't seem very far away, we've just got to stick together."