Coach Leon Cameron labelled it "tripe" and co-captain Callan Ward was left shattered as Greater Western Sydney's leaders gave frank, damning assessments of a 113-point capitulation against Richmond on Saturday.
The GIANTS had seemingly taken some big strides earlier this season, starting with the euphoria of knocking off the Sydney Swans in round one as part of a 2-1 start to the year.
But all of that is being lost in the wake of last round's 111-point defeat to West Coast and Saturday's inept display against a Tigers outfit that came into the match in 16th position.
Cameron didn't mince words when he addressed the media after the game, labelling it the worst display in his time at the helm.
"Let's cut straight to the chase – it was really disappointing," he said.
"We've let our supporters down today.
"Back in Sydney for the first time in six weeks, home ground, two weeks off, no excuse.
"We can't run away from that sort of tripe that we served up.
"We've got to deal with it and work through it and become a better footy club."
Making matters worse for the GIANTS, they had set themselves the task this week of righting the wrongs of Perth two weeks ago, when they barely fired a shot at Patersons Stadium.
Boosted by seven inclusions, including quality quartet Shane Mumford, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar and Curtly Hampton, most had anticipated a hot contest between the AFL's 16th and 17th-ranked sides.
Instead, the Tigers looked like premiership favourites and the home side was outplayed in every facet of the game.
GWS face inevitable comparisons with fellow expansionists Gold Coast, a club that managed eight wins in its third season.
That tally seems a long way off in the distance for the 2-7 GIANTS.
It will test the resolve of the 8,331 fans in attendance at Spotless Stadium, but Cameron was at least confident they would keep coming back.
"I think they'll come back because they're really loyal," he said.
"That's the most disappointing thing for me, that they've been through some hard times, like our players and like our football club.
"But they keep fronting up and they'll be back in two weeks' time (against Essendon).
"The challenge for us is to serve up something they can be proud of."
Ward reflected the mood of the playing group when he glumly summed up his feelings on the game.
"We're all shattered," he said.
"You can't expect to compete and win games when you lose contested possession by 40 and you lose loose ball gets by 20-odd.
"The only stat that we won was tackles (65-50) and that's because they had the ball the whole game.
"Nearly all of our KPI's we got smashed in.
"We can try to stay positive but it's hard after a day like today."
The result is the first real body blow to Cameron's young coaching career and he must now find a way to lift his troops for another of the AFL's most difficult assignments – Hawthorn at the MCG.
"Throughout our NAB Cup we were really happy (and) our first four weeks we were really competitive," he said.
"But our last two weeks … we have to go back to the drawing board.
"We thought we actually prepared really, really well after our disappointing loss to the Eagles.
"But footy is a funny game. It tests your character out.
"We've got to get over this, address it and look forward to playing a very, very good side next week at the MCG."
