Collins was on restricted duties at Wednesday's main session at Metricon Stadium, having rolled his ankle in the build-up to last Saturday's loss to Fremantle in Perth.

Suns coach Stuart Dew said allowing Collins' injury to settle before testing it was crucial.

"We're reluctant obviously early in the week to put it to the test and give him every chance," Dew said.

"It's 50/50 because, until he moves, it's hard to know where he's at but then if you move them too early you might find out earlier than you needed to as well.

"We're willing to leave it to a bit later in the week."

In the 27-year-old's absence, the Suns were disappointing against an injury-hit Dockers, falling to a loss that has again raised questions about Gold Coast's progress under Dew.

Having entered the bye on a high after a professional win over Hawthorn, hopes were high of a rare win out west against the Dockers only for Dew's men to come home with their tails between their legs.

Dew said the key for his team is finding a consistent level of performance and mood and ignoring outside noise in the process.

"We're under pressure every week. We can't be dictated by that," he said.

"If we're letting outside dictate our mood, we're probably doing a disservice to getting our job done and sticking to it."

While Collins remains a chance to come back into the lineup, Dew said inaugural Sun Sam Day had made a strong case for a return after successfully proving his fitness following a knee injury in the reserves last weekend.

"He's a real strong chance," Dew said.

"He played well, presented, worked hard, didn't get out-marked. He certainly mounted his case.

"Sam did what we'd expect and what we wanted going into the game."

Australian Associated Press