West Coast Eagles name former Demons and Tigers assistant ...

The West Coast Eagles have appointed Andrew McQualter as the club's next senior coach as they attempt to overcome a horror three-year stretch that has seen the club sink down the AFL ladder.

McQualter, a former Richmond and Melbourne assistant coach, has joined the Eagles on a three-year contract.

He replaces Adam Simpson who announced his departure mid-season, with Jarrod Schofield overseeing West Coast's final seven games.

McQualter was interim coach at Richmond for 13 games in 2023, leading the club to seven wins and six losses.

He served as an assistant coach at the Tigers prior to that, including during Richmond's three premiership wins in 2017, 2019 and 2020, and was most recently an assistant at Melbourne during the 2024 season.

McQualter, who played 94 senior games with St Kilda and Gold Coast, said he was looking forward to the job.

"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."

The Eagles are looking to rebuild with youngster Harley Reid (left) as one of their centrepieces. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)

The Eagles have won a total of 10 games over the last three years, finishing in the AFL's bottom three each season, and have not made the finals since 2020.

McQualter won the West Coast job after being shortlisted alongside Collingwood assistant coach Hayden Skipworth and Geelong assistant Steven King.

He also spent four seasons as a development coach with Richmond's VFL team between 2013 and 2016.

West Coast chief executive officer Don Pyke welcomed McQualter to the "West Coast family".

Eagles chief executive officer Don Pyke says McQualter is ready for the opportunity to be a head coach. ( ABC News: Kenith Png )

"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 shortlisted 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 is just the seventh head coach in West Coast's 38-year history.

The Eagles are due to hold a media conference this afternoon to formally introduce him.