New coach McQualter lands first blow: Baker chooses West Coast
West Coast have chosen Andrew McQualter as their next coach.
A football source with direct knowledge of the appointment said the former Richmond and Melbourne assistant coach edged out Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth and Geelong’s Steven King.
Andrew McQualterCredit: Getty Images
The decision was reached after West Coast CEO Don Pyke met with all three candidates in Melbourne late last week.
McQualter, 38, had crossed to the Demons after the 2023 season, having been runner-up for the Richmond position vacated by Damien Hardwick. He joins the Eagles on a three-year deal.
His appointment could impact heavily on the trade period given that he has strong relationships with not only with Richmond’s Liam Baker, who is favoured to join West Coast, but contracted Tigers match-winner Shai Bolton.
A source close to negotiations, who wished to remain anonymous to speak freely, said Baker informed West Coast on Monday morning that he would ask Richmond for a trade to the Eagles. An announcement is expected later on Monday.
Richmond’s Liam Baker is set for a move to the Eagles.Credit: AFL Photos
Baker’s premiership teammate Jack Graham, who is an unrestricted free agent, is reportedly also planning a move to West Coast.
However, Graham’s manager Marty Pask said his free agent client had yet to make a call.
Loading
“No decision has yet been made and Jack is still working through a process,” Pask said.
Bolton is viewed as likely to seek a trade to Fremantle. He has four years remaining on his contract and the Tigers will demand significant trade compensation in any deal, but the Dockers have the draft capital – three first rounders including picks nine and 10.
West Coast could gain Hawthorn’s first pick (currently 13), which would assist them in potentially doing a deal for Baker. The Eagles already have an increasing Richmond feel, having already secured long-term recruiter Matt Clark from Punt Road as their new list manager.
McQualter was caretaker coach at Richmond when Hardwick stepped down in the middle of 2023 and impressed with his people-management skills, but the Tigers opted for Adem Yze as an outsider (from the Demons) who brought fresh perspectives.
McQualter is a former St Kilda player who played in the Saints’ 2009 and 2010 grand finals, including the draw of 2010, under Ross Lyon.
He had been an assistant coach at Punt Road from 2017-2023, before joining Melbourne for the 2024 season.
McQualter worked at the Tigers in a development role under Hardwick for several years and it is this background that helped win him the position, as West Coast seeks to develop the host of youngsters who will join the club as they rebuild a playing list that has performed poorly since 2021 and been mired in the bottom three for three seasons.
“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,” McQualter said.
“I am aware that there is much work to do and I am definitely up for that.
Loading
“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.”
McQualter faces a significant challenge to turn around the Eagles, who still have several veterans on their list, but are the most financially powerful club in the competition with the capacity to attract Western Australians back to Perth.
McQualter is only the seventh senior coach in West Coast’s 38-year history. Adam Simpson exited the club in July after an 11-year stint highlighted by the 2018 premiership and concluded with three seasons of struggle.
In Harley Reid, McQualter has one of the most explosive young midfielders in the game to build around.
Pyke said the club was excited to welcome McQualter to the fold.
“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,” Pyke said.
“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.
“We welcome Andrew, Jane, Emily, Alice and Georgia to our West Coast family.”
Loading
