West Coast Eagles captain Luke Shuey addressed a number of pertinent topics after his side's ugly defeat to the Swans, including his playing future beyond this season and a report that he sprayed teammates post-game on Saturday.
The Eagles surrendered to Sydney by 171 points and conceded an astonishing score of 205, representing their worst defeat in club history, as well as their fourth 100-plus-point loss this season.
Fronting the media on Monday afternoon, Shuey first affirmed that while the playing group is not in high spirits when they walk into the club, they have not become desensitised to losing.
"No (we're not numb to it), we're not playing great footy but it's hurting, we're not rolling in on Monday high-fiving and yahooing, the boys are hurting behind closed doors, so [we'll] keep working to improve and you'd hope we get a good response this week," Shuey said.
The Eagles skipper admitted that while this week's game review was "a bit more brutal" than in times gone by it was a necessary measure, remaining coy on the precise messaging conveyed during that reflection.
"[The review] was probably a bit more brutal than weeks gone by, but as it should be, let a team [score] 200 points, there's not a lot of positive to come out of that, so it was good, it was what we needed," Shuey continued.
"I won't go into details (of the review) but we were honest, we looked at things we can't continue to accept and if we want to be a good side [there are] things that we need to correct, things that we've been talking about all year, but it was disappointing to come off the bye and have a bit of a reset and talk about where we're going to improve and deliver that performance, so that was disappointing, but I won't go into details."
Quizzed on whether the Eagles have overestimated the quality of their playing list, Shuey was categorical in his response, expressing his excitement for West Coast's remaining slate of games.
"No, we had a shocking day Saturday, but I can't wait for the next nine games," said Shuey.
"I'm so excited because we need to be excited after a weekend like that, you need to look forward to your next challenge, because you're only as good as your last game, so we get an opportunity to prove to people that that's not the side we are, and we need to do more to help our young guys learn more at AFL level because they're not going to learn a whole lot when we play like that."
Following murmurings that Shuey delivered a post-game spray to the playing group on Saturday, West Coast's captain set the record straight.
"I didn't spray the boys post-game, nup, nup, I spoke to them individually in the rooms, but I didn't spray anyone," he said.
Finally, examined specifically on if he will be playing for the Eagles next season, Shuey expressed his aspirations.
"I hope so, I'd love to try and help take the club back to the top end of the ladder, and whether I'm here to experience success again at this club I'm not sure, but I want to play a hand in it," Shuey stated.
"To be completely honest with you, I haven't even opened conversations about signing on for next year yet, I'm worried about getting through the next nine games and trying to teach and lead and play well, and when the season comes to an end that's when I'll worry about it."
Shuey, 33 years of age, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this year.
The Eagles host St Kilda at Optus Stadium in Round 16.
