Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew is set to seek clarity from the AFL over the treatment of Izak Rankine after the livewire forward was shut out in the Suns' 17-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.
Rankine, an in-form member of the Suns' forward line, was limited to just 10 disposals in Saturday's derby as the Lions overcame a three-quarter time deficit of seven points to kick five goals to one and secure an eighth-straight win over their Queensland rivals.
Lions defender Brandon Starcevich, who has dominated contests with Rankine in previous derbies, was again charged with keeping the 22-year-old quiet.
It was a task Starcevich completed with relish, as Rankine barely managed to make an impact on the game - managing just one disposal in the first and third quarters.
Suns coach Dew stopped short of saying the Lion used illegal tactics to keep Rankine quiet but did express confusion over what is or isn't allowed around stoppages.
"Starcevich played well, I'm just going to have to get some clarity on how he's getting played at stoppages," Dew said.
"To my eye, I think Izak's looking at the ball, I just need to get some clarity on how he's being defended.
"If that's open slather, then we can work out what we're dealing with and we can talk to Sean Lemmens and those types of guys to defend stoppages similar.
"I'm not having a whinge, I just think we need some clarity on what is possible."
The loss realistically ends the Suns' hopes of a maiden finals berth but Dew wasn't giving up on the top eight race with four games to play.
To get into finals Gold Coast would need to win all of their remaining matches and hope a stack of results go their way.
Defender Charlie Ballard is a doubt for next week's clash with West Coast after limping off against the Lions with a knee injury, as Dew vowed his team wasn't throwing in the towel on their year just yet.
"If we worry about winning next week, playing well and winning well, that's all we can do," Dew said.
"There'll be lots of teams getting written off, but different things can happen."
