Andrew McQualter has a 5-34 record as Eagles coach. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

West Coast chair Elizabeth Gaines has backed coach Andrew McQualter’s progress and connection with his players as he heads towards discussions over a new contract.

McQualter is midway through the second year of a three-year deal and has steered the team to four wins so far this season on the back of last year’s one-win wooden spoon year.

“We are seeing progress this year. I think everybody would agree with that,” Gaines told ABC Radio.

“I think that’s a matter Don (CEO Don Pyke) will raise with the board at the appropriate time.

“But certainly what I’ve seen of Andrew, his connection with the players is terrific and I think that the way he has developed – and we are starting to see that progress on field – is a real testament to his coaching.”

McQualter has avoided discussing any contract extension, but has said he understands the pressures and expects job-related discussions to be part of the deal.

In a rare interview since becoming the Eagles’ first female chair at the start of last year, Gaines revealed the club had reached out to the family of late premiership player Adam Hunter following a recent Four Corners report on the scourge of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, the neurological brain disease that was detected in him after his death in February last year.

Eagles chair Elizabeth Gaines. Credit: Carwyn Monck/The West Australian

“In terms of Adam Hunter’s family his Mum … I know the club’s been in contact with her today and I know there’s been a lot of contact between the club and family since Adam’s tragic passing,” Gaines said on Friday.

“Something I’ve certainly seen is that in times of tragedy… is that when the club comes together and really puts their arms around the family and supports them.”

It follows an open letter from Hunter’s best friend Dave Andrews which was posted to AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, AFL Players’ Association boss James Gallagher, Gaines as well as the chairs of ASIC and WorkSafe Australia, Victoria and Western Australia and the junior and local footy clubs Hunter played at.

Andrews said the AFL failed his mate and that the league had a duty to “inform, protect, and provide safe systems of play”.

Hunter was at the centre of the Four Corners investigation, which has revealed that 33 Australian rules players have now been diagnosed with CTE, which can only be detected posthumously.

“There is a growing recognition when it comes to the long-term effects of contact sport when it comes to head injuries, globally, across various sports, AFL, NRL, NFL,” Gaines said.

“There is a lot of research going into that. We have an obligation, whether it’s the AFL or us as a club, to provide a safe work environment.

Adam Hunter was part of West Coast’s 2006 premiership side. Credit: Trevor Collens/WA News

“So it’s critically important that we keep ahead of and attuned to the research that is going into this, the developments, the AFL have changed rules, they are going to put limits on contact training next year.

“All of that is really important because these risks need to be known and understood so that there can be a safe environment provided.”

Gaines said it was important to stay aligned with developments but the game did not necessarily need to change.

“I’m not sure it has to change significantly. I do think there needs to continue to be a real focus on the latest developments on how you track the impact, whether there has to be longer limits in terms of coming back to playing after a head injury,” she said.

“All of that needs to be on the table and with the rule changes and the like hopefully we start to see less of those types of contact injuries.

“I’d like to see still a strong and healthy game moving forward, but that is delivered in a way that makes it safer for all.”

Gaines’ tenure expires in 2030 and she said her success would be measured by with on and off-field metrics.

“We have fixed terms so I have to finish by 2030 and I am really delighted that we have John Worsfold on record as saying we are going to win a fifth premiership by 2030,” Gaines said.

“I would love to see that.

“But I think in terms of success, we have an amazing member base of over 100,000 members. We have just ticked over 100,000, last year 107,000, and we will probably exceed that this year.

“So incredible supporters, we remember them and think about them all the time.

“Maintaining and growing our membership base is important for us and also on-field performance is critically important and making sure when I finish up as chair I have left the board in incredibly strong shape, that we have got the right people in the right roles, that I have actually gone through a succession plan that we can have a new chair coming in.”

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West Coast Eagles chair Elizabeth Gaines lauds coach Andrew McQualter’s progress and connection with players