Mini says ‘challenging' year has ‘silver linings' for Eagles
The Eagles are on track for a historic-low one-win season and are bracing for a tough encounter against ladder-leaders Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
They will then face a desperate Western Bulldogs and last year's grand finalists in Sydney to round out a season which has been marred by injuries to senior players.
McQualter conceded his first season at the helm had been 'challenging' because of a lack of experienced personnel.
Reigning club champion Jeremy McGovern was medically retired mid-season because of concussion issues, while runner-up Elliot Yeo didn't step foot on the field because of a bad ankle injury he sustained on the eve of the season.
Co-captain Oscar Allen has battled form and injury issues as well as speculation around his future as a free agent, while reigning All-Australian forward Jake Waterman was ruled out after round 11 with a shoulder injury.
And star midfielder Harley Reid's season was ended with only four games to go in the season because of a syndesmosis injury just as he began to reach peak form amid contract talks.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jack Graham will return from a four-game suspension for a homophobic slur last month.
Yet despite it all, McQualter said there were plenty of positives they could take out of the year as they continue an arduous rebuild.
'It's been challenging. There's no question about that. We needed everything to go right with the position we're in, and we've had a few things go wrong, but there's always a silver lining,' he said.
'Those six guys you just spoke about would've played every game this year, so that means we've been able to get games into six other guys that may not have got that opportunity and in the long run, we'll be better for that.
'Jobe Shanahan might not be playing now. Archer Reid might not have played. Tom Gross might've got no games. I'm not sure whether Reuben Ginbey would be as good a defensive player as he is if he didn't have this opportunity. There are always silver linings, and in the future I'm sure it will pay us back.' Andrew McQualter looks on during their Melbourne defeat. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images
McQualter has made no secret the Eagles are in the market to bring in experienced players this season as well to help develop the young players they've drafted into the club.
'We need to get that balance right. We've got a young list currently, and we need to improve our young list as well,' he said.
'We've got to develop the people we've got, and we'll also use avenues to try to bring in people that can help.
'We've clearly got an age profile where we're missing a large portion of that middle-aged bracket. So, where we can, we'll try and keep improving that part as well.'
McQualter would not reveal if he'd spoken to any players throughout the season about making the move to the Eagles.
They've been linked to several players, including recently re-signed Sydney midfielder Angus Sheldrick as well as out-of-contract Fremantle first-round draftee Neil Erasmus and Collingwood ruckman Darcy Cameron. Neil Erasmus is one named linked to the Eagles. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
'It's really clear and obvious in our industry that it happens, but I'm not going to speak publicly about any of it,' he said.
'I don't think it's appropriate. The understanding that it's the nature of our game, particularly with free agency and trade, it's what happens.
'It's a business, but I'm not going to speak about individuals in that space.'
As for which area the Eagles would look to bolster their list, McQualter said it was 'broad'.
'There are multiple parts of the ground, so it's not just one specific area,' he said.
'We'll look at a few different things. We've got a list management team working their backsides off. That's what they're employed to do, and they're doing it.
'And we're going to try to strengthen our list anyway we can.'
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