Andrew McQualter faced the media for the first time as West Coast Eagles senior coach, expressing his pride and excitement at taking on the role and addressing the challenges ahead for the AFL club.

The former Richmond assistant, known for his success with the Tigers, brings a wealth of premiership experience to the Eagles as they look to climb back up the ladder.

โ€œFooty clubs are wonderful places. I'm really excited to lead this club. I'm proud and humbled. I can't wait to meet everyone and get to work,โ€ McQualter said at the press conference, radiating enthusiasm for his new role.

The Eagles, who finished the 2024 season in 16th place with just five wins, are in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and McQualter acknowledged the tough road ahead.

He emphasised that his focus will be on building a winning culture while giving every player a clean slate.

โ€œEverybody gets a fresh start with me, and that's really exciting,โ€ he said.

โ€œI've always admired this club. They've been a winning club and have had lots of success. It's been a challenge with the football side of things, but the whole of the club is really set to grow.โ€

McQualter, who took on the role of interim coach at Richmond following Damien Hardwick's departure in 2023, now has the reins fully in his hands at West Coast.

He spoke about the importance of having a clear vision and plan to guide the team forward, drawing on his past experience with successful environments at both Richmond and Melbourne.

โ€œThere is no secret to this. There are no shortcuts. It's about behaviours, it's about actions,โ€ McQualter noted.

โ€œWe need clarity around the plan and then we need to go to work.โ€

West Coast CEO Don Pyke, who introduced the incoming senior coach, expressed confidence in his ability to steer the club in the right direction.

Pyke highlighted McQualter's journey through coaching, from development roles to senior assistant positions, praising his strong values and leadership qualities.

โ€œThere is nothing like sitting in the chair. Fundamentally, he is a very good person with really strong values,โ€ Pyke said.

โ€œHe has come through from the development space to being a senior assistant where he was.โ€

McQualter also touched on the whirlwind of activity he's experienced since being appointed, including getting a feel for the facilities and meeting a few of the players and staff. With trade week fast approaching, he will need to hit the ground running.

โ€œIn the next couple of days, we will have plenty of meetings. I know there will have been lots of preparation already underway and I'll get things going once I meet everyone,โ€ he added.

One of the key tasks for McQualter and the club is securing new talent during the trade period. Richmond stars Liam Baker and Jack Graham have been linked to West Coast, with McQualter's appointment likely to boost the Eagles' recruitment chances.

Although he hasn't been involved in trade talks yet, McQualter made it clear that he's eager to improve the club's list. โ€œWe'll look to improve our list in any way we can,โ€ he said.

โ€œThis job isn't done well by one person. It takes a really good effort from a lot of people.โ€

In his closing remarks, McQualter reflected on his journey from a country kid to the AFL, underscoring his values of resilience and hard work.

โ€œI'm just a kid from the country who works hard. I have really high standards of people and of myself,โ€ he said.

The 38-year-old coach is aware of the expectations from the club's fans and is determined to repay their faith. With a blend of experience and fresh ideas, McQualter is ready to begin a new chapter with West Coast, hoping to restore the club's status as an AFL powerhouse.

McQualter's immediate challenges include navigating the trade period, integrating new talent into the squad, and setting a clear direction for the team's on-field strategy after years of bottom-dwelling.

As he begins his tenure at the helm, the Eagles' faithful will be watching closely, eager to see a return to the proud winning culture that once defined the club.