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Many of their squad are barely past graduation and Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said it was his team's schoolboy errors that cost them against the Suns.
Brisbane coughed up the Q-Clash Cup for the second time in a row despite winning many of the major statistical areas.
It was a high scoring game at the Gabba as Brisbane cracked the century for the first time since round seven but Leppitsch was visibly frustrated at three-quarter time, addressing his side after a term when the Suns kicked seven goals to four and put it down to those basic errors.
"It was what I determine as schoolboy errors, that's it," he said.
"We go so well and just something happens that is so left field, things you don't plan for in a footy game anyway that you kind of shake your head at and think there's a goal to the opposition.
Leppitsch said those positives were important but it would matter little to the playing group in the aftermath of the defeat.
"We lost, which I think is all they feel really is the disappointment of the loss," he said.
"But the difference is it was in our hands and we had a chance this particular week.
"We scored 100 points, which was a focus for us as well, to make sure at least we... finish off the season getting back to our best with the ball."
Brisbane won the disposal count 297-225 but were unable to convert that advantage due to some poor efficiency and Leppitsch said that was a key focus for improvement.
"As Robert Walls would say (the top teams), they do the common things uncommonly well. We've got to make sure we do the common things uncommonly well, which is what the elite players do," he said.
Pearce Hanley was back to his best for the Lions as he continues to works his way back from a long injury layoff , with 31 touches, six marks and eight inside 50s, while Luke McGuane was serviceable after more than a year out of the side.
Suns coach Rodney Eade was disappointed by the overall performance of his side despite the win.
The key forwards once again punished the Lions, with Marcus Ashcroft medallist Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon combining for eight goals.
Brisbane faces Carlton in the match that will likely confirm the wooden spoon "winner" for 2015.
