West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has revealed the Eagles will draw inspiration from cancer survivor Matilda Pitt as they look to upset Collingwood at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Pitt, 15, was a special guest at the club this week and designed a special warm-up top the team donned at training on Wednesday. The players will wear it again in the warm-up this weekend as part of the Eagles’ continued support of Telethon.

Pitt was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive spinal cancer, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, at only 12 years old which resulted in countless hours of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, rehabilitation and ongoing specialist care after being told she might never walk again.

This weekend’s game will be the Eagles’ Impact Round which supports telethon and invites the club’s community to “Take Your Seat for WA Kids” by buying virtual seat to raise funds for programs, services and research for WA kids and their families.

West Coast have been in the spotlight after their disappointing defeat to Richmond, who were last headed into the game — one which the Eagles were expected to win.

The pressure is mounting to snap an eight-game losing streak — which could extend to 11 headed into next season should they not get another victory from their final three matches of 2026.

Speaking at his pre-game press conference on Friday, McQualter said Matilda’s visit had put the game into perspective for everyone inside the four walls as they look to round out a difficult season with finals well and truly beyond their grasp.

“The extra motivation for us this week, we were incredibly fortunate to have a young, brave girl in Matilda come and speak to our group on Tuesday. She’s from Telethon and she gave us perspective on life,” he said.

“She spoke to the group about some of the challenges she’s been through and her family have been through. We lost a game of footy last week and sometimes it’s bigger than that.

“And then we asked what her favourite celebration was and we made a pact that when we kick our first goal on the weekend you will see the players do Matilda’s celebration.

“I won’t give away what it is but you will see it. I think that’s a pretty inspiring motivation for our group, to play for a bigger cause.”