West Coast Eagles AFLW senior coach Michael Prior has released a statement backtracking his comments regarding the league's fixturing.
Prior's Eagles, who have won just one of their first seven contests this season, were belted by reigning premier Melbourne to the tune of 70 points at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday, as Prior lashed out at the competition's scheduling afterward.
"How we play that team is beyond me," Prior started post-game. "That (Sunday's result) is what you get when you get fixturing like that."
Despite the AFLW's evolution into an 18-team competition, each team plays just 10 home-and-away games, meaning not every side faces each other in a season.
West Coast's women's side, which entered the competition in the 2019/20 season, is one of the league's youngest and inexperienced lists, though it was matched up against the Demons women, who triumphed over the Brisbane Lions in last year's flag decider.
Prior's comments were met with criticism following his outburst, though, and the seasoned mentor rectified his earlier standpoint via a Monday evening statement.
"I would like to acknowledge my comments regarding the AFLW fixturing were unacceptable after our game against Narrm," Prior said.
"It was a disappointing performance and I was frustrated but that does not excuse my comments and they do not reflect the club's position. I take full responsibility.
"Narrm are the benchmark in AFLW and credit to them for the way they played.
"As one of the youngest lists in the competition, taking on the reigning premier was a challenge our squad will learn from as we aspire to climb the AFLW ladder, and there were positives from many of our exciting developing players like Charlie Thomas and Ella Roberts.
"I can assure West Coast members and supporters that our players, coaches, and staff are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to fast-track our growth and drive the elite standards that will take our group to the next level.
"We need to close the gap to the best teams and our first half against the Demons was indicative of the pressure and effort we need to bring against the elite sides.
"Every opportunity to compete against the best teams is an opportunity to learn and get better and that is what we will be aiming to do in our final three matches this season."
Prior, who played for West Coast during his footballing days, began his Eagles AFLW coaching stint in 2022.
West Coast's next fixture comes against Essendon at Windy Hill in Round 8 this Sunday.