West Coast captain Oscar Allen can expect to spend more time in the backline as veteran defender Jeremy McGovern suffered a concussion in Saturday's loss to Melbourne.
Allen has been redeployed in the back half following poor form inside 50, which has been compounded by his ongoing contract status and subsequent meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell earlier in the year.
McGovern was involved in a contentious push from Demons forward Jake Melksham, that in recent weeks, has seen MRO scrutiny.
The 2024 Eagles best and fairest winner will miss at least the Richmond contest in Round 9, meaning the club's skipper will be left the head the backline.
Harrison Petty also sustained a concussion.
"I thought he was pretty good against the Demons. I thought he was really, really good behind the ball," McQualter said of Allen.
"He saved us on multiple occasions, and had to play a bigger role when Gov went off.
"So, without Gov next week, it looks pretty likely that Oscar will stay back."
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin weighed in on the contentious contest, saying Melksham was making a genuine play for the ball.
"I watched it a few times, and I'm pretty clear that Melksham was contesting the ball โ he marks the ball. You could argue whether it's a free kick or not," Goodwin said.
"If you watch the concussion of Petty pretty closely, how he got into that contest will be scrutinised as well, I'm sure.
"At the end of the day, you've got two players concussed โ we hope Jeremy is OK. You certainly don't want to see concussed players in the game.
"It wasn't a push in the back, a push into the contest โ (Melksham) was contesting the ball. The rules say you're allowed to contest the ball."
The Eagles were valiant in the performance but were ultimately dominated by a much superior midfield, led by Max Gawn.
McQualter has sent plenty of names through the centre bounce as he continues to find the right balance, but suggested his men are missing the experience of Elliot Yeo.
The two-time club champion has battled injury and is set for more time on the sidelines to correct his ankle.
"Yeo is going to have some surgery just to remove some hardware from his ankle," McQualter said.
"He'll have a couple of weeks off legs and then build, and we're really confident Yeo is going to play a fair chunk of football towards the end of the season.
"He'll have a few weeks to let the wound heal, and then get to work.
"He was obviously having challenges to progress his rehab prior to this.
"So I think at least he's got an answer now of what needs to happen for the next steps."
The Eagles are still winless in 2025 but will arguably have the biggest opportunity against Richmond next week.
