West Coast has reportedly held an emergency meeting in a bid to quickly turn around its form amid the worst start to an AFL season in the club’s history.
The Eagles, who currently sit stand-alone last on the ladder with seven losses from seven games, have had a disastrous 18 months has seen very minimal success on field and key personnel relocate or entertain rival interest.
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson revealed the details of a meeting that saw the club’s official leadership group lay bare their current situation with coaches and select off-field personnel.
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“There was a meeting at the club last week. I’m told one of the key speakers at the meeting was Jeremy McGovern, the West Coast vice-captain,” Wilson told Seven.
“Obviously Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen were there the captains, Jake Waterman, other leadership group members — Jack Graham (and) Liam Baker. It’s been put to me that it was an extended version of the leadership group.
“The coach was there, Andrew McQualter. The Head of Footy John Worsfold, and the footy GM Gavin Bell.
“There was anger, there was frustration, there were robust conversations, serious questions asked about communication between coaches and players — and just the general question of: ‘What are we doing?’”
West Coast have won just 10 of their last 79 games at AFL level, with their downhill trajectory beginning at the back end of 2021, where four losses rounded out their season.
Last year, star intercept defender Tom Barrass flew east to join Hawthorn in a further below to the club, while more recently, co-captain Oscar Allen was publicly outed for entertaining rival interest with the Hawks.
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In the middle of all discussions is first-year coach Andrew McQualter, who while is rightly being backed by the club, reportedly has critical concerns held over the support around him by players.
“It was put to me by someone in the players camp as an ‘intervention’, and that there was concern for (their) new and untried senior coach in McQualter,” Wilson continued.
“I spoke to Don Pyke, the CEO of the footy club, (and) he said he didn’t agree with the term ‘intervention’. He agreed that there was disappointment and frustration.”
The Eagles this weekend host Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, in a desperate bid to claim their first win since Round 22 last year.
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