- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Melbourne assistant coach Andrew McQualter has won the race to be named West Coast head coach.
The 38-year old, who took over as Richmond caretaker in 2023 following the resignation of Damien Hardwick, has consistently been among the favourites for the job since Eagles 2018 premiership coach Adam Simpson was sacked mid-season, with a string of club greats, most notably Dean Cox, electing not to apply.
McQualter was given the nod ahead of Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth and Geelong lieutenant Steven King.
As an added bonus, he is set to be a factor in wantaway Tigers Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham’s trade decisions this off-season.
Shortly after McQualter’s appointment was announced, Baker, who has been weighing up offers from both the Eagles and Fremantle after requesting a trade at the end of the Tigers’ season, confirmed his desire to reunite with his former coach at West Coast.
Graham is also weighing up a long-term offer from the Eagles, while Bolton has been courted heavily by Fremantle but has only requested a trade to a Western Australian club.
“We believe Andrew has the professional and personal qualities and experience required to guide our team. We are excited to have someone of his calibre leading our football program forward,” Eagles CEO Don Pyke said in a statement.
“We were in a fortunate position where we had three exceptional candidates short-listed with Andrew possessing the credentials and vision needed to help us make strong progress.
“Andrew has a firm vision of what needs to be done and is ready to embrace the opportunity of being an AFL senior coach.”
McQualter said he was ‘thrilled’ to receive the job, saying it was a culmination of a decade’s worth of hard work as an assistant, rising the ranks from Richmond’s VFL program in 2014 to one of the most high-profile coaching jobs in the AFL.
“I have been working towards this moment for the last 10 years and I’m thrilled to be appointed as coach of the West Coast Eagles,” he said.
“I am aware that there is much work to do and I am definitely up for that.
“There is some exciting young talent at the club with a mix of outstanding players and I couldn’t be more excited to get over there and get to work with them.”
Andrew McQualter, West Coast’s new senior coach. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
McQualter previously applied for the full-time position at the Tigers 12 months ago after a 7-6 record as caretaker coach, but lost out to current coach Adem Yze and chose to depart the club to take charge of the Demons’ midfield for the 2024 season.
He had previously spent a decade in various roles at the Tigers, including through their run of three premierships in four years, and comes highly regarded by Richmond players.
McQualter was midfield and stoppages coach during the Tigers’ 2017 premiership run after joining the club in 2014 following his AFL retirement in 2012, after eight seasons with St Kilda and Gold Coast that included being part of the Saints’ 2009 and 2010 grand final losses as a defensive small forward.
He reportedly was deeply considered for Carlton’s vacant coaching position following David Teague’s sacking at the end of 2021, before the Blues opted for the more experienced Michael Voss.
McQualter’s appointment ends a chaotic Eagles coach search that spanned more than two months, with the club initially courting former players Cox, Jaymie Graham and Ashley Hansen before being rejected by all.
McQualter, Skipworth and King, along with GWS assistant Brett Montgomery, eventually emerged as the frontrunners, with King suffering a medical episode at Geelong training the day before their preliminary final loss to Brisbane and mere hours after returning from Perth from an interview with the Eagles.
The new coach takes over from caretaker Jarrad Schofield, who was also considered for the position after the Eagles won two of their final seven games following Simpson’s sacking, including an upset victory over Gold Coast.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.