West Coast appoint new senior coach

Monday, 30 September 2024 07:32

By Monique Welhan

Andrew McQualter is the new coach of the West Coast Eagles. PIC: West Coast Eagles

The West Coast Eagles have appointed their new senior coach.

Andrew McQualter will take on the top job after a three-month search to replace premiership coach Adam Simpson.

The 38-year-old was an assistant coach at Melbourne in 2024 and before that took on an interim senior coach position at Richmond in 2023 after Damien Hardwick stepped down mid-season.

Eagles Chief Executive Officer Don Pyke said McQualter has a wealth of experience behind him.

“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."

McQualter said he was thrilled to receive the opportunity and is looking forward to relocating to Perth and starting his journey at West Coast.

“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.

“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, who played 94 senior games with St Kilda and Gold Coast, will relocate with his young family in the coming months.

He will become just the seventh senior coach of the Eagles.