Caroline Wilson accuses Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick of poor sportsmanship after shock loss to Port Adelaide

Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has slammed Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick for "bad sportsmanship" after his side's shock loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night.

The loss means the Suns must beat Essendon on Wednesday in order to make the top eight for the first time in club history, and has ended their top-four hopes.

There's no question Gold Coast has been a better team than Port Adelaide this year; they had a healthier list and had everything to play for, but they simply couldn't match the raw energy and emotion the Power were playing with.

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Damien Hardwick in his press conference. AFL

Port farewelled coach Ken Hinkley and long-time star Travis Boak in the game, and rode that wave of energy to a special performance.

A snappy Hardwick, however, was not happy with the umpiring in the game, with the Power winning the count 33 to 16.

Suns swingman Mac Andrew likely should have received a free kick inside 50 in the dying seconds for being held without the footy, but the contest went un-whistled.

"I thought the umpires got caught up in the emotion of the game. Can happen," Hardwick said post-game.

"Asking the wrong bloke the wrong question. Maybe ask the umpiring department."

Wilson believes the frustrated coach should receive a 'please explain' letter from the AFL for the comment.

"He did make one gracious comment last night, he said they were beaten by a great coach and Ken's a great coach and he's had a great career or something like that, which I was happy about," Wilson told 3AW.

"I thought the umpiring comments were just bad sportsmanship and disappointing.

Damien Hardwick addresses his playing group. AFL Photos via Getty Images

"He should have to explain himself, really, for making that comment."

When asked how he would motivate his group for Wednesday night's must-win clash with Essendon, Hardwick said he would leave it in the players' hands.

"You're playing for a finals campaign. If you need me to sit there and give you a motivational speech to want to play your first finals campaign in our organisation's history, then you're playing the wrong game," Hardwick said pointedly.

"Our players have got to pick themselves up, they've got to lead from the front, they're going to take charge, I'm going to hand it over to them, and we're going to see what this group's made of.

"Because they are made of something special; tonight they didn't show it, but I think they're capable of doing some really good things."

Wilson believes the Suns simply must win a final at this point, given the season they've had and the talent on their list.

"I think for a pass mark, they have to win a final," she said.

"With the team they've got, Damien has had two years now."

Australian football legend Leigh Matthews still thinks Gold Coast lacks maturity on the road.

"He would rightly be disappointed," Matthews said in response.

"They are such a different team at home than they are away. That's their big challenge. Being able to turn it on away and not just play their best at Carrara and that's mainly where it's still at, I think."

The Gold Coast went winless away from home until the final game of the 2024 season in their first year under Hardwick.

They have been more consistent this season, but the loss to Port Adelaide has cost them any hope of finishing in the top four.

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