Andrew McQualter says he is “proud and humbled” to be appointed as the club’s new coach, promising to reshape West Coast’s on-field style.
At his first press conference since being confirmed as Adam Simpson’s successor and the club’s seventh full-time senior coach on Monday, McQualter said his new role will be a “great challenge”, but one he is looking forward to.
He also denied the job was undesirable, despite a string of leading candidates not involving themselves in the process.
“It’s a really exciting time for my family and myself. I’m really excited to come here and lead this football club,” McQualter said.
“To be able to lead this club is something I’m really proud and humbled to do. I can’t wait to get started and meet everyone and improve our position in the league.”
The former Richmond and Melbourne assistant coach was driving back to Melbourne from country Victoria when Eagles chief executive Don Pyke called to offer him the job on Sunday morning.
He landed in Perth just 24 hours later.
“It was a moment where I was really proud … there were lots of mixed emotions,” McQualter said.
McQualter said his time as caretaker coach for his former boss Damien Hardwick was “bittersweet” and conceded 13 weeks was a long time to have “one hand on the wheel”.
“It’s quite a long time, 13 weeks, to be an interim coach, but I was really fortunate to get that opportunity,” he said.
The former St Kilda and Gold Coast player said he had admired the Eagles and its “incredible coaches” for a long period of time.
“It’s something not every club has been able to do, they’ve been involved in eight or so grand final in 37 years.
He revealed parts of Richmond’s three-premiership dynasty had formed part of his pitch to the Eagles.
“For me it was just talking about what created a successful environment in those different places and ultimately what leads to winning,” McQualter said.
“It’s a great challenge, it’s been a challenging few years with the football sides of things but the club is really looking to grow and move forward.
“You’ve just got to work really hard, look to do it together and build a coaching staff and team that instill belief in the playing group.
“That’s something I’m really excited about.
“I thought this was an incredible job, that’s why I went through the process, and very fortunate to be sitting here today.”
Asked about teenage sensation Harley Reid, McQualter said the 19-year-old was just one of a number of young players he was excited to work with.
“I’m really excited by the list, there are some really experienced guys that still have some good football ahead of them and some exciting young guys as well,” he said.
And Eagles fans can expect a different style to the one put in place by Simpson across a decade.
“It will be different to the way West Coast have played for the last little while and that should be really exciting for everyone,” McQualter said.
The 37-year-old had his wife and three children in the room as he addressed media and a group of players including Tom Cole, Jai Culley, Liam Ryan, Tyler Brockman and Jake Waterman.
