29/07/2026
West Coast Eagles, Richmond have plenty to play for as cellar-dwellers face off in crucial clash at the MCG
Mitchell Woodcock The West Australian
Thu, 30 July 2026 2:00AM
Richmond could cost themselves the prized No.1 pick in this year’s national draft should they continue to have the wood over their former interim coach Andrew McQualter and his West Coast outfit.
It may be 16th up against 18th, but Sunday’s clash at the MCG between the Tigers and Eagles looms as pivotal to the future of both teams, who are in the midst of arduous rebuilds.
For McQualter — who will reach 150 games as coach and player — the game looms as vital in his second season in the hot seat.
The Eagles have been widely praised for their improvement in 2026 but have still lost their past seven games, and should they be unable to get the better of the Tigers, they could finish the year with 11 consecutive defeats.
They are almost certain to start as rank underdogs against Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn in their final three games.
McQualter has been unsuccessful in three attempts to beat Richmond, where he served as a long-time assistant and was caretaker coach in the wake of Damien Hardwick’s departure in the middle of 2023.
Their most recent defeat came in round eight when an injury-ravaged Tigers upset the Eagles at Optus Stadium, spoiling their celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the 2006 premiership.
However, should the Tigers get their third win of the year, they will likely send fellow two-win outfit Essendon back to the bottom of the ladder and almost certainly lose the first pick in November’s national draft.
McQualter’s former coach at St Kilda, Grant Thomas, said while a win was important, the continued improvement through their structures and development would be just as vital.
“Depending what aspect of importance you’re talking about. If you’re talking about development, it (winning) is really important; if you’re talking about setting a standard and making statements for the future, it’s very important,” he told The West Australian.
“West Coast can’t move anywhere (on the ladder), and it doesn’t have any effect on them. Winning is important, and obviously it’s all about causes, not effects. And the causes are to get the right strategy in place, get the right attitude and effort, and all of the plans in place properly. The scoreboard will tell the story of where you’re at.
“It’s more about dealing with those causes rather than the effects. Any of those bottom few clubs, it’s important they perform well to finish the year off because otherwise pre-season leaves a bit more of a bitter taste in your mouth.”
The Eagles will have to turn not only their interstate fortunes around — having won only four of their past 50 games outside of WA — but break a seven-game losing streak at the MCG if they are to walk away with the four premiership points.
They got close last year against Richmond, but were left heartbroken after Tom Brown chased down first-year midfielder Tom Gross as he stormed towards goal in the dying stages of the game to ensure they held on for a two-point win.
Should West Coast beat Richmond, it will be their fifth victory for the season, which is the equal most in the past five years, a period in which they’ve tasted victory only 15 times from their past 110 outings.
Thomas said the Eagles had definitely improved this year and was buoyed by the young talent on their list, which is being nurtured by his former Saint.
“I’m seeing enough good signs and things happening to suggest they’re on the right track,” he said.
“They’ve got some good young players coming through, and in glimpses they’ve shown good performances.
“I think it’s essential to get the foundation right and the foundation is the attitude, effort and the unconditional approach to the game and contest.
“Have those agreed standards in place and then to be measuring them on a daily and regular basis to ensure you’re sticking to your task and give feedback when you’re not.”
