McQualter expected to join Demons after leaving Punt Rd

Former Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter (C) looks like going to Melbourne. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Andrew McQualter is expected to join Melbourne in what would be a swap with new Richmond coach Adem Yze.

Earlier on Tuesday, Richmond confirmed McQualter had left the club after missing out on the full-time senior coaching role.

McQualter had led the Tigers to seven wins from 13 games after he took over from three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick, who stunned the AFL after he resigned suddenly in May.

On September 21, Yze won the permanent Richmond role from McQualter in a tight call.

Yze was an assistant coach under Simon Goodwin at Melbourne before winning the Richmond job and McQualter is understood to have gone to the Demons in a similar role.

Yze had said he would be happy to have McQualter as his "right-hand man", but his departure had appeared on the cards.

The Tigers confirmed on Tuesday that McQualter was going to another club after 10 years at Punt Rd.

The former St Kilda and Gold Coast player initially joined as VFL playing assistant and development coach ahead of the 2014 season, but later became an AFL assistant.

He was involved in Richmond's three premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

"We would like to thank Andrew for his incredible service to Richmond across 10 years," Richmond football performance boss Tim Livingstone said in a statement.

"He formed great relationships within the organisation and played a big part in our success over that period.

"Stepping up to be interim coach was a selfless decision by Andrew, and he did a brilliant job leading the team for 13 weeks.

"Andrew moves on to further enhance his coaching credentials, which we respect.

"He is an excellent coach with a long future in the game, and we wish him and his family all the best."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon had approached McQualter last year about joining his panel, but last week said a reunion was unlikely.

"That ship has sailed, to be honest," Lyon told the SEN radio network.

Yze was meeting Richmond players and fans on Tuesday night at the club's Jack Dyer Medal best-and-fairest function.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store