FOOTBALL
AFL EXPORTS
By TOM HAYES
FORMER Rosedale premiership player and Traralgon export, Andrew McQualter, has been appointed as the new senior coach of West Coast Eagles.
McQualter was an assistant at Richmond under Damien Hardwick for almost eight years up until Hardwick stepped down in the middle of the 2023 season.
McQualter assumed the position of caretaker coach, later throwing his hat in the ring to become the senior coach, ultimately missing out to Adam Yze.
After missing out on the top job at Richmond, McQualter joined Melbourne as an assistant under premiership coach Simon Goodwin.
McQualter became one of the early nominees to take Adam Simpson’s job when he parted ways with West Coast earlier this year in July.
With big names dropping out of the race early, McQualter’s stocks only grew, with it eventually coming down to himself, Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth, and Geelong midfield coach Steven King.
It was reported on the AFL website that Skipworth finished as a close second but was eventually edged out by the Latrobe Valley local after three months of deliberation.
McQualter made his playing debut for St Kilda against West Coast in 2005, playing 89 games for the Saints, including three grand finals. He joined Gold Coast for one season in 2012 before his playing career came to an end.
Richmond duo Liam Baker and Jack Graham have requested trades to join the Eagles, which would see them link up with McQualter in the west.
The Eagles are home to a sweep of Gippsland talent, including Drouin’s Ryan Maric who was picked up in the 2023 Mid Season Draft.
Also on the list is former Wonthaggi player Jack Hutchinson, who was selected in the 2024 Mid Season Draft, and Maffra’s Coby Burgiel who was selected at the 2022 National Draft.
