West Coast has announced Andrew McQualter as its new AFL head coach.
The Eagles confirmed the news in a statement Monday morning.
McQualter reportedly beat Hayden Skipworth to the role.
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Geelong great Steven King was also considered a leading contender and was all but declared the new Eagles coach by a radio station in the past few days, but missed out.
“We believe Andrew has the professional and personal qualities and experience required to guide our team,” Eagles boss Don Pyke said.
Former Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter. Getty
“We are excited to have someone of his calibre leading our football program forward.
“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, 38, played 89 games for St Kilda and a handful for Gold coast between 2005 and 2012.
He’s enjoyed a successful career as an assistant coach at both Richmond and Melbourne.
He was the interim Tigers head coach during 2023 when Damien Hardwick resigned.
McQualter was an assistant to Simon Goodwin at the Demons this year.
“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.
Harley Reid of the Eagles walks off the field. via Getty Images
“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 sacked Adam Simpson as coach in July after a decade in the top job.
West Coast has been one of the worst teams in the AFL in recent seasons, winning just 10 games in the last three campaigns.
They do, though, have the game’s undisputed best rookie in teenage sensation Harley Reid, who will be a key to McQualter’s success next year.