GOLD Coast players taught Rhyce Shaw two important lessons during the "dark times" of 2025 where the Suns finished last in his first season as coach.

To be resilient and have fun.

It's something Shaw says has been a bedrock of leading the competition's feelgood story from 18th to fifth this year ahead of Sunday's elimination final against Hawthorn at People First Stadium.

Shaw has always been resilient. He finished coaching the North Melbourne men's team in 2020 and was lost to the game for a couple of years before then Suns coach Stuart Dew lured him to Carrara.

The former Collingwood and Sydney player was a development coach before heading into the club's Academy program and eventually the women's coach ahead of last year.

Winning just two games last year, Shaw said he "learnt a lot".

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"One, a bit of resilience and what's required in those moments. That was pretty dark times last year at different times," he said.

"We set a foundation last year and went about implementing a style of play. Even though it might not have seemed like that, we really did.

"We stuck to it. We didn't deviate. We didn't change, no matter how many losses added up.

"We continued to drive what we wanted to drive, knowing that last year was part of the journey."

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In the off-season came eight players through the draft courtesy of the club's Academy that Shaw knew all too well.

They have made an immediate impact, making Gold Coast not only one of the most exciting teams to watch, but one of the best.

"What the girls have taught me is to enjoy it," Shaw said.

"Last year, in the harshest of times, I had a number of players stick fat … they showed resilience and they showed the joy that's required to play good footy.

"That's something I've learnt a lot, it's still a game. We all want to win, and we all want to compete, but we've got to enjoy it along the way.

"Hopefully you've seen that in the way the girls are playing."

Gold Coast will regain Ava Usher (suspension), Daisy D'Arcy and Dekota Baron (both concussion) to take on the Hawks, although a cloud still lingers over Clara Fitzpatrick (foot).

Ava Usher during a Gold Coast media opportunity at Austworld Centre on November 3, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

"I know I've said it before, and it sounds a bit cliche, but they are only scratching the surface," Shaw said.

"They don't know what they don't know yet. That only comes from experience. This week's another experience.

"They've got to enjoy it. That's the best we can do."