West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says he feels under no more pressure now than when he first assumed his position as scrutiny on the rebuilding Eagles ramps up.

McQualter’s side suffered a shock 11-point loss to last-placed Richmond at Optus Stadium on Saturday, with the defeat coming at the hands of the a Tigers outfit who came into the game without a win and a owning 16-player injury list.

Some sections of the club’s supporter base have expressed frustration towards their second-year coach, who is nearing the halfway point of a three-year contract. He has overseen only three wins from 31 games since taking charge of West Coast ahead of the 2025 season.

Speaking on 7NEWS on Monday night, McQualter said he had “felt the heat from day one in the job”.

“This is what it comes with, the territory. I understand how it works,” McQualter said.

“We’re incredibly aligned in what we’re trying to build here and we’re confident we’re on the right track.

“I think we’re all frustrated that we didn’t win the game of football. We’re in a very similar position to Richmond, both incredibly young squads with some challenges on the injury front.

“We did a lot right in the game, we had 64 (inside-50) entries and put ourselves in a position to win, but we’re an outcome-based industry. We know we’ve got to get the job done.”

The loss to the Tigers came in front of West Coast’s 2006 premiership team, who were at the game as part of their 20-year reunion and were lavished with praise from fans as they completed a lap of honour at half-time.

When asked if he believed the celebrations had added to the frustration of supporters with the result, McQualter said he had not used the occasion in an attempt to motivate his side.

“I think it was a great day for the football club, but we don’t want to be a team that plays on emotion,” he said.

“We want to be able to front up, no matter the occasion.”

With the Eagles in desperate need of back-line reinforcements, Harry Edwards — who suffered a pair of concussions within a three-week span earlier in the season — was able to return to the field through the WAFL on Saturday.

McQualter said he was delighted to see Edwards back in action, but was not sure if the 200cm key defender would be available for senior selection.

“He was on restricted minutes, so we’ll speak to our medical team early in the week and see what his availability is like to play AFL football,” he said.