Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) release stirring changeroom footage before and after breakthrough victory
Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) have given a stirring insight into Andrew McQualter's message to players before and after their win over Euro-Yroke (St Kilda), which came just over 24 hours after Adam Selwood's shock death.
The Eagles recorded their first win of the season at Optus Stadium on Sunday, a day after the premiership player and club died suddenly on Saturday morning.
McQualter told media post-game it had been a 'brutal' day for the club.
But in a video released by the club on Wednesday, the first-year Eagles coach told his players that match was about 'more than football'.
'It is going to be an emotional day for a lot of us,' McQualter told the players.
'We will need each other today. We will all drift at times. Come back to someone, come back to someone in this room.
'Because for two or three hours today, we need the whole focus to be about team and our club.
'It is about more than a game, it is about community. Our job today is to represent the West Coast community the best way we possibly can.
'Look after each other, make our people proud. Let's have a great day.'
The club also released vision of McQualter's post-game address, where he thanked the players after a 'challenging start to the year'.
'For the last five weeks, you have really seen our game grow and I feel like you have felt the belief grow. But you do need a result sometimes to really feel that belief.
'There are parts of our game every week we are going away, we're learning about and we are growing.
'We put a lot of it together today. It wasn't perfect, there's still lots of stuff we'll get better at, but that was the best four-quarter performance we've played all year, in an incredibly challenging time.
'What everyone in this room, this club has been through the last 24 hours is just sad. It's really sad and challenging for a lot of people in this room.
'I appreciate the support you've all shown for each other. Football clubs are just beautiful places sometimes because they just bring people together.
'I know so many people in this room had deep relationships with Adam.
'The way you played the game today and the way you showed up to work, you should be really proud of every person in this room.'
Co-captain Liam Duggan then told the players he felt especially proud to be an Eagle at the weekend.
'Whether we won or lost today, I am proud to be part of this club over the last 48, 24 hours. I'm always proud but especially now,' he said.
'Thanks to everyone. Thanks to you too Mini for sticking fat mate, well done.'
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