West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has been drumming into his players the importance of finishing the season the right way ahead of a crucial off-season of development and growth.

The Eagles have improved key metrics this year – including limiting defensive inside 50s – and have the opportunity to take it up to Hawthorn in the final game of the 2026 season at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.

“This is the end of this season but footy is a continuum, so the way we finish will have impact on the way we start next year,” McQualter said.

“We want to play the game the right way, in the right spirit. Hawthorn have been in good form, but we believe we’ve got some things we can do that will challenge them as well.

“We’d love to finish the season on a high, but I’m really determined that no matter what we’ve got to get to work, we’ve got to improve a lot.

“We’ve got to train harder, be fitter, faster, stronger and continue to implement and work on our gameplan.”

The Eagles have made one change for the Hawks clash, with co-captain Liam Duggan battling soreness and replaced by Bo Allan.

Duggan will be West Coast’s holdover emergency – only playing if required – which will allow Ryan Maric and Jack Hutchinson to play full games for the WAFL Eagles as they hunt a finals berth.

If the WAFL Eagles overcome Claremont at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday, and other results fall their way, Kyal Horsley’s team will play post-season football for the first time since 2019.

“They’re pumped. There’s been a really good spirit all year, and particularly the last month in the WAFL group, and I’ll shout it out – being led by Matty Flynn really,” McQualter said.

“He’s one of our leaders for a reason, he’s a terrific leader and playing great football there.

“There’s great spirit amongst that group, they’re playing good football, they’re connected and a couple of results have to fall our way to make finals but we still need to take care of business as well.”

The Eagles received positive news this week with emerging key defender Rhett Bazzo signing for three more years following an excellent 13-straight games in the absence of Reuben Ginbey and Harry Edwards.

“He’s done a great job, Rhett. He really has. I and his teammates were rapt that he’s signed on for another three years at our footy club,” McQualter said.

“He’s still early in his football journey. There aren’t many key defenders in the competition at 22 years old holding down a key back position.

“Rhett’s done that for us this year and he’s grown a lot. He’s played some terrific football in the second half of the year.”