West Coast has taken a significant step towards regrouping after a challenging April, during which the club failed to win a single quarter. The team’s performance in that month was marked by two losses by more than 100 points, despite showing initial signs of improvement with two wins in the first four games.
In response to these challenges, the club conducted a player review early in the week, focusing on areas for growth and development. This initiative was led by the players themselves, who took ownership of their performance and expressed a commitment to delivering better results in upcoming matches.
Speaking to the media on Friday, head coach Andrew McQualter expressed confidence that the team could make a strong return at home against Richmond, the only winless side in the 2026 season. He highlighted the positive energy and leadership within the squad, noting that the players had been proactive in identifying areas for improvement.
“We had a really strong player-led review on Tuesday, so they’ve taken ownership of it and our leaders demanded a better effort in the game,” McQualter said. “We think we’re getting a great output from our young players. They’re playing a high level of football.”
Among the key developments is the return of Harry Schoenberg and Tom Cole, both of whom are expected to contribute significantly to the team’s performance. Schoenberg will be wearing a helmet following two recent concussions, while Cole has shown marked improvement after being omitted from the lineup in Round 1.
Cole’s absence in the opening round was a difficult moment for the player, but he used the opportunity to work on specific aspects of his game. He returned to the WAFL, where he demonstrated strong leadership and improved form, earning his place back in the senior team.
“We spoke to Coley when he went out of the team about little parts of his game to keep working on, he went back to the WAFL, was a great leader down there, he improved his form so he deserves his opportunity,” McQualter said. “He really provides great balance, he’s a great teammate to play with and understands our defensive system really strongly so it will be great to have ‘Coley’ back in the team.”
McQualter also emphasized the importance of starting the game strongly, as it can provide the young players with much-needed confidence and momentum. He noted that the team has struggled with this aspect in previous matches, often feeling disheartened when the scoreboard doesn’t reflect their efforts.
“We’ve probably lacked that at times when you’ve walked in and feel like you’ve played okay and the scoreboard’s against you so we’ll try to ensure we start well tomorrow,” McQualter added. “We’ve tried a lot of different things this year…we’ve tried a lot of different things in the lead up to the game and we’re trying to find the mixture.”
With a renewed focus on leadership, preparation, and strong starts, West Coast is looking to turn its season around. The upcoming match against Richmond presents an opportunity for the team to showcase their progress and set the tone for the rest of the season.
