In a disappointing debut for new head coach Andrew McQualter, the West Coast Eagles suffered a staggering 87-point defeat against the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium. The loss marks a challenging beginning for McQualter, who expressed his frustration and determination to improve the team’s performance moving forward.

Key Takeaways

• West Coast Eagles lost to Gold Coast Suns 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49).
• Coach Andrew McQualter expressed disappointment and a need for improvement.
• The team struggled significantly in clearances and contested possessions.
• Jake Waterman’s injury raises concerns, but he may still play next week.
• Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick praised McQualter’s potential as a coach.

A Disheartening Debut

The Eagles were outplayed from the very start, with the Suns dominating the match and securing their largest victory in history. McQualter, visibly upset, acknowledged the team’s poor performance and the need for immediate changes. "We’re bitterly disappointed. We expected better, unfortunately we didn’t get it right so it’s disappointing," he stated.

The match statistics highlighted the Eagles’ struggles, particularly in the contest, where they were outperformed by a staggering 40 clearances. McQualter noted, "Footy is a pretty simple game. When you go minus 40 in the contest, you’re not going to be able to compete."

Areas for Improvement

McQualter is determined to analyse the game footage to identify specific areas for improvement. He mentioned, "I’m confident in a few days I’ll have really clear answers of how we can improve quickly. I’ve never watched the tape and not had answers."

The coach plans to review the game thoroughly to understand the breakdowns in strategy and execution that led to the heavy loss. He emphasised the importance of learning from this experience to ensure better outcomes in future matches.

Injury Concerns

One of the few positives from the match was the performance of All Australian forward Jake Waterman, who, despite being substituted in the third quarter due to a calf concern, may still be fit to face the Brisbane Lions next week. McQualter reassured fans, stating, "He’s ok. It was more precautionary rather than anything else."

However, the team also faced additional injury worries, with Jack Hutchinson sitting out most of the last quarter due to an undisclosed issue and co-captain Liam Duggan sidelined with a left ankle injury. The extent of these injuries remains uncertain as the team prepares for their next challenge.

Support from Peers

Despite the disappointing result, Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick offered words of encouragement for McQualter, highlighting his potential as a coach. Hardwick remarked, "He’s going through the journey that every new coach goes through… they’ve got an absolute cracker – this kid’s a star."

He expressed confidence that the Eagles would improve as McQualter implements his strategies and the players adapt to his coaching style. Hardwick noted, "They’ll get a hell of a lot better next week as well because they’ll see some things…"

Looking Ahead

As the Eagles prepare to face the reigning premiers Brisbane Lions, McQualter and his team have a significant task ahead. The focus will be on addressing the issues that led to the heavy defeat and ensuring that the players are ready to compete at a higher level. With a commitment to learning and adapting, McQualter aims to turn the tide for the West Coast Eagles in the upcoming matches.