GOLD Coast has reverted to being a "middling" side after a fifth straight loss, with coach Damien Hardwick conceding the team has failed to meet expectations as it fights to scrape into the top 10 this season. The Suns have fallen from premiership favouritism early in the season to now sit 11th with a 7-8 record after their worst run of defeats since 2019, with Fremantle holding them to just three goals in a crushing 51-point win on Sunday.