The West Coast Eagles’ new senior coach stated it had been a roller-coaster 24 hours after solely discovering out he obtained the job on Sunday.
The membership appointed Andrew McQualter because it tried to beat a horror three-year stretch that noticed the membership sink down the AFL ladder.
“It has been a heavy 24 hours,” McQualter informed press simply a few hours after touching down in Perth.
“We had been in nation Victoria and driving again within the rain when [club CEO Don Pyke] referred to as.
“I feel I went sideways off the aspect of the highway.”
McQualter, a former Richmond and Melbourne assistant coach, has joined the Eagles on a three-year contract.
He replaces Adam Simpson, who introduced his departure mid-season, with Jarrod Schofield overseeing West Coast’s ultimate seven video games.
CEO Don Pyke says the appointment of Andrew McQualter provides the staff a recent begin. (ABC Information: Kenith Png)
Pyke stated it had been a possibility for the membership to take inventory.
“We wished to verify we get the precise particular person to offer the membership the chance … to get a recent begin and a recent piece of paper,” he stated.
“With [McQualter] approaching board, we get that.”
Not a ‘poison chalice’
McQualter stated removed from viewing the membership as a “poison chalice”, he had at all times admired the Eagles.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged there was lots of work to be finished.
“I am actually clear on the best way that I would like the sport to look and to play and it will likely be totally different to the best way West Coast have performed for the final short while,” he stated.
“That needs to be actually thrilling for the blokes … we’ll create a mode that fits us and places us in the perfect place to win video games of soccer.”
McQualter refused to be drawn on studies Richmond premiership gamers Liam Baker and Jack Graham had requested to observe their former interim coach to the Eagles.
“I’ve obtained about 320 messages on my cellphone I’ve obtained to get to, so we’ll get round to that when the time’s proper,” he stated.
At 38, McQualter is similar age because the younger WA membership, and the youngest coach within the league.
McQualter was interim coach at Richmond for 13 video games in 2023, main the membership to seven wins and 6 losses.
Andrew McQualter will attempt to revive the West Coast Eagles after being picked as their subsequent coach. (AAP Picture: James Ross)
The Eagles have received a complete of 10 video games over the past three years, ending within the AFL’s backside three every season, and haven’t made the finals since 2020.
McQualter received the West Coast job after being shortlisted alongside Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth and Geelong assistant Steven King.
He additionally spent 4 seasons as a growth coach with Richmond’s VFL staff between 2013 and 2016.
The Eagles wish to rebuild with teenager Harley Reid (left) as one among their centrepieces. (Getty Photographs: Paul Kane)
Honeymoon begins
As McQualter touched down in Perth at present, the honeymoon interval formally started.
Many supporters have backed the coach’s appointment, calling for him to be given respiration room to get the membership into form.
Supporters together with Mick O’Callaghan have broadly welcomed the appointment of the brand new coach. (ABC Information: Bridget McArthur)
“He is available in with recent concepts from the east coast and I feel it is a good factor,” Mick O’Callaghan stated.
“Something at this stage I feel is an effective factor.”
“It is good to have a recent, youthful mindset and take [a] totally different strategy,” Tina Francisco agreed.
Tina Francisco believes a youthful mindset may assist. (ABC Information: Bridget McArthur)
“Let’s examine what he’ll do … [It] cannot be any worse.”
Ken Pettit stated he had excessive hopes for the commerce interval with McQualter on board.
“They have to be looking for two or three high gamers to assist these younger gamers which might be coming by means of now,” he stated.
“[McQualter] appears to have lots of contacts and we could get a few good gamers from Richmond due to his connection there.”
Ken Pettit hopes the appointment will result in high quality trades for West Coast. (ABC Information: Bridget McArthur)
Victorian-born Nick Declerck, who helps Carlton, stated he hoped McQualter was ready for a life within the limelight.
He stated WA’s fanbase was in some ways extra intense than again house.
“It’s kind of of a fishbowl over right here,” Mr Declerck stated.
“You may conceal a bit extra in Victoria.”
McQualter is simply the seventh head coach in West Coast’s 38-year historical past.
The Eagles are as a consequence of maintain a media convention this afternoon to formally introduce him.
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