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 their AFL clash in Perth.
Essendon 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 Bombers 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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