WEST Coast coach Andrew McQualter isn't necessarily a believer in the new-coach bounce, but he knows Essendon will be playing with an invaluable "spike" in this Sunday's clash in Perth.

Bombers coach Brad Scott was axed earlier this week after guiding the team to just one win from their past 24 matches.

Dean Solomon has been installed as  interim coach, but he will be without Andrew McGrath, Mason Redman, Sam Durham, Jye Caldwell and Matt Guelfi for Sunday's contest with the Eagles.

McQualter knows all too well how a group can transform when a coaching change is implemented, having led Richmond to seven wins from 13 games in 2023 when Damien Hardwick stepped down as coach mid-season.

The theory is a player group lift - especially in the first game - when a new coach comes in, but McQualter isn't a believer in the new-coach bounce.

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Published on May 26, 2026

"No, I don't believe in that," McQualter said on Friday.

But the second-year Eagles coach reckons a change at the top does at the very least affect the pride of players.

"I know they'll come out red hot," McQualter said of Essendon.

"What they've been through this week, I've been through it personally.

"You definitely get a spike in players' pride - that just happens.

"So our expectation is there'll be a fierce Bombers team that turn up here on Sunday afternoon."

Players after the round 11 match between Richmond and Essendon at the MCG, May 22, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

West Coast (3-8) will start as favourites against last-placed Essendon (1-10).

It's a situation the Eagles didn't handle well a few weeks ago in an upset loss to Richmond at home, but West Coast has since posted a shock win over Greater Western Sydney and a fighting effort in a 10-point defeat to Collingwood.

Prized recruit Brandon Starcevich, whose start at West Coast has been blighted by knee and calf issues, made it through a WAFL match on limited minutes last week.

Starcevich will feature in a second straight state league game this Sunday, but he almost earned a call-up for the Bombers match.

"I was really tempted," McQualter said.

Brandon Starcevich at the West Coast Team Photo Day at Mineral Resources Park, January 30, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

"We'd love him in our team, but we also really want to set him up to succeed.

"He only played about 70 odd minutes of game time last week, so we just thought ... he needs a bit more of a build before we expose him to AFL games."

West Coast received another boost this week when key defender Harry Edwards returned to training.

Edwards has been concussed three times this year, but there's still a chance the 25-year-old will be given the green light to play again this season.

"It's still a bit unknown, but hopefully," McQualter said.