A frustrated Andrew McQualter has described West Coast’s thumping loss to Melbourne as a “dark day” in the club’s season, after the Eagles succumbed to the Demons by 83 points.
West Coast remained in the contest early, trailing by just 22 points at halftime and within reach of claiming their second win of the season.
But a 10-goal third term for Melbourne put the contest well and truly out of reach, despite the Dees coughing up a 46-point three-quarter time lead a week earlier.
Speaking post-game, McQualter made it clear in no uncertain terms the disappointment he was feeling.
“We have to be better than we were today,” he said.
“We still need to improve clearly.
“We’re not tough enough at all, as a football club, as a football team at the moment.”
The undermanned Eagles were smashed in the contest against an experienced Melbourne side, losing the clearance battle 30-40, and inside-50s 45-58.
West Coast were without a number of key players for Saturday’s clash, including young gun Harley Reid who was ruled out for the season during the week with a syndesmosis injury.
Also missing for the Eagles were club captain Oscar Allen and star key forward Jake Waterman.
West Coast now have just three more chances to pick up a second win this season, with a ladder-leading Adelaide outfit awaiting next week.