West Coast veteran Elliot Yeo took the unusual move of requesting he be put in front of the media by the Eagles on Wednesday.
It follows a radio interview with 6PR following Saturday's loss to Richmond where he took significant umbrage with journalist Paddy Sweeney asking if the club was in a rut.
“(I wanted) to clarify a few things that was said post game. I probably didn't best articulate the emotions and how I was feeling post game and I wanted to clarify and rectify a few things that were said,” Yeo told media.
Optimism and positivity remained eminent in Yeo's messaging, with the midfielder noting that the club had already doubled its win tally from last season and still has almost two thirds of the season remaining.
He also highlighted the significant list turnover at the Eagles, a theme that coach Andrew McQualter has repeatedly emphasised throughout a difficult five weeks for the club.
“I'm still overly positive and optimistic on where we're gong and I understand there is a lot of hard work behind that, absolutely we're disappointed with the weekend's result and we're not happy with it and we're having talks individually and collectively internally about how we're going to get better,” Yeo said.
“There is some hard roads ahead and we know that but there is optimism and there is talented people we've got in the football club I enjoy going out and playing with.
“Looking at the positives, yes there are some negatives but I'm overly optimistic about where we're heading as a football club and a team. Of course I'm going to back this team and everyone inside the four walls.
"I'm just overly optimistic on where we are. Call me loyal, call me whatever you want but I love my team and my club. I know we're in this for the long run and there are hard roads ahead and I'm disappointed we lost on the weekend which was a very winnable game but I'm still optimistic on where we're heading.”
Yeo admitted he was surprised by the traction the interview got, but reinforced his loyalty to the club, doubling down on the general sentiment he expressed on Saturday while providing more context.
“It would've been nice if the whole interview got played out, I said we were clearly disappointed as well,” Yeo said.
“Did I articulate myself the best in that interview? No.
“We're all human, we all make mistakes, we all fumble our words sometimes and clearly I was exhausted, frustrated and disappointed and it wasn't my best interview, but I still love this club and I love where we're going and the direction and I'll back the club to the hills.”
Speaking on Zero Hanger's The Outer Wing (brought to you by TabTouch), leading WA journalist Digby Beacham was among a chorus of voices to criticise Yeo's response, which came after a calendar month the Eagles failed to win a game and following a loss to Richmond side with just 27 fit players available.
“This is a club that just has forgotten how to win regularly and I wonder whether some of these senior players, of which Elliott Yeo is one, are carrying some mental scars from the floggings,” Beacham said.
