West Coast coach John Worsfold says his players were delivered a brutal reality check for next season in Saturday night's 66-point flogging at the hands of AFL powerhouse Geelong.
The Eagles conceded the first five goals of the match and were never in the hunt on the way to the 16.11 (107) to 6.5 (41) defeat.
It was West Coast's lowest-ever score at home ground Patersons Stadium and was their eighth loss from 11 games in Perth this year.
The Eagles started the season as second favourites for the flag, but are now certain to miss the top-eight in a campaign that was largely derailed by injuries.
Worsfold is confident his team's premiership window will re-open next year, but said the loss to Geelong showed his players how far they need to improve over the summer.
"No one ever wants to see it but sometimes you need a good dose of the truth," Worsfold said.
"After the game I said to the players, 'you fought on in the second half and didn't give up. Didn't turn your toes up. Didn't feel sorry for yourselves at half-time'.
"That was the message.
"Geelong came out slick and classy and they maintained it for the whole first half but the first 10 minutes set the standard.
"We fought on hard in that second half but the damage was obviously done. They were just way too good for us in that opening half," said Worsfold.
West Coast ruckman Dean Cox could miss Friday night's clash with Collingwood at the MCG after being reported for an off-the-ball strike on Joel Selwood.
Eagles midfielder Luke Shuey was subbed off early in the third quarter with just seven possessions to his name.
But Worsfold revealed it was always the plan to limit his minutes, and said the star on-baller hadn't re-injured his hamstring.
Chris Masten was a late withdrawal due to a thigh injury but could return against the Magpies.
