West Coast ruckman Dean Cox admits playing careers are now on the line following Sunday's embarrassing 49-point AFL loss to last-placed Richmond.

Cox rated the defeat as one of the worst of his 192-game career and said a repeat effort could produce dire consequences for players not pulling their weight.

"With a performance like that there's bound to be some changes," Cox said on Monday.

"If players regularly dish up those performances then you put your position and career at threat.

"We need a group that's going to be strong-willed towards where we want to head to and if you don't want to buy into that then, well, you won't play for this football club.

"It's right up there (as one of the worst losses I've been involved in).

"As a playing group a lot of the players were embarrassed.

"We won't hide from that.

"That's what you want as a group, to stand up and take ownership on performances and that one was not acceptable."

Cox revealed players exchanged brutal truths during Sunday's half-time break in a bid to arrest the situation.

"Everything's been said amongst this playing group to one another and it had to happen, because we can't keep giving up those sort of performances," he said.

After the match, West Coast coach John Worsfold questioned whether up to half of his team were up to AFL standard.

But Cox felt a clean-out at season's end wasn't necessary.

"I've got belief in all the players," Cox said.

"Throughout times players have down games or they're not switched on to where they need to be.

"Individually they need to look and say 'well why did this happen'.

"Now's the time ... when people have to stand up.

"It's easy to play well through the good times but we are looking for a group going forward that's going to bring us finals football.

"Yesterday highlights a lot of areas individuals need to work at.

"We need a playing group that's going to strive to play consistent, hard, intense football for the four quarters and if you're not going to do that then well you're not going to be a part of this football side."

Worsfold is hopeful midfielder Adam Selwood will return for Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval, but Mark Nicoski (shoulder) and Tom Swift (appendicitis) will be sidelined.

And skipper Darren Glass, who was sorely missed as Tigers young gun Jack Riewoldt booted 10 goals, could be set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines if his nagging groin injury doesn't improve this week.

Glass hasn't played since the round eight win over Melbourne and may undergo surgery depending on how he pulls up from training over the next few days.

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