‘Sick to death’: Eagles coach takes aim after ugly fail as harsh Harley Reid reality laid bare

Alarm bells should be ringing at West Coast after the club was embarrassed by fellow battler Richmond by 49 points in a performance coach Andrew McQualter conceded “wasn’t at AFL standard”.

Despite winning just one game this season, the Eagles had gone into the Optus Stadium contest as favourites over the 17th placed Tigers - but they were outclassed in a brutal third quarter blitz.

The result has all but resigned the powerhouse club to a second wooden spoon in the space of three years.

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“Nobody likes losing … we’re all sick to death of it to be honest,” McQualter said post-match.

“We’re the only people who can make it change ... we have to do it together.

“We generated enough entry but (our) skill level wasn’t at AFL standard.

Harley Reid looks dejected after the loss. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

“They are trying; they are working hard. But clearly, they are in such a void of confidence,” McQualter said of his players.

“That first quarter … it was a pretty dominant quarter of football – we go to quarter time down on the scoreboard. I think it’s hurting deep in the souls of our players when that happens.”

Admitting some of his side’s errors were “almost comical”, McQualter conceded too much was being asked of young Harley Reid, at a time where his future remains unclear after next year.

“We’re aware we’ve got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield,” the first-year coach said.

“It’s not an easy position for him.

“I thought Harley was by far our best player ... I love the way he went about it.

“I loved his team first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates.

“As a team, we have to find more people and players and ways to not rely on one person. There’s no AFL team ever that relies on one player to be good.

“He’s absolutely in (at West Coast) – he is a competitor. He’s wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position.”

Yze's young Tigers win second straight | 08:52

Premiership Eagle Tim Cole felt the match just snowballed out of West Coast’s grasp.

“That third quarter – one mistake led to two, two to three and the goals just flowed on,” he told foxfooty.com.au post-game.

“They just pierced through us … We showed fight in the fourth but it was all over after that third quarter.

“We were kicking to straight back to them really.

“It came back at us pretty quick ... we were under the pump there (in defence).

“We’re very disappointed. We thought it was one we could win – especially in front of our fans. We really want to get some wins for them.

“We’ve got to keep chugging away – we have to get something out of the back end of this season.”

Cole, one of the senior Eagles dropped in season 2025 including the likes of Tim Kelly and Jack Petruccelle, admits this season has been “frustrating” but holds out hope the side can claim a second victory.

“When I was young, I probably came into the team for an older player coming out,” he said.

“Obviously I want to be playing every week – I’m glad ‘Mini’ (McQualter) backed me to come back in.

“I feel like I play my role most weeks; hopefully I can do that for the rest of the year.

“We’re such a young group – as much as the wins aren’t there, we are really driven to get better.

“We want to win games, bring this footy club back up to the top of the ladder.”

The Eagles face a tough run home including three games against finals contenders, plus an in-form Sydney and Melbourne in Melbourne.

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