West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has kiboshed suggestions Essendon will get a bounce on the field following the sacking of coach Brad Scott as they prepare to take on the beaten-up Bombers at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.

Scott was axed on Tuesday, just days after Essendon plummeted to the bottom of the ladder following an 18-point loss to fellow battlers Richmond, with assistant Dean Solomon thrust into the interim role.

It has Eagles’ fans on edge, with many concerned that what could be a winnable game could turn into a disaster of their own, given that the teams have a strong history of winning in their first week under a caretaker coach.

Carlton have won consecutive games under Josh Fraser since they parted ways with Michael Voss earlier this month, but McQualter did not have any such luck when he took over from three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick at Richmond in 2023.

The Tigers lost to Port Adelaide by 10 points in his first game as interim coach, but went on to win seven of 13 games under the man known as “Mini,” who missed out on the job to Adem Yze.

McQualter said he did not believe in the famed new coach bounce but would brace for a “red hot” Essendon regardless.

“What they’ve been through this week, I’ve been through it personally. You definitely get a spike in players’ pride,” he said.

“Our expectation is there will be a fierce Bombers team that turns up here on Sunday afternoon.”

McQualter conceded it was difficult to scout the Bombers, given they had no evidence on what Solomon could potentially change to their game plan in the few days he had been at the helm.

“We spoke about it to the group just then, that they’ve had one training session since this has happened, so it’s difficult to implement significant change, I believe, having been in that position, but there’ll definitely be some tweaks,” he said.

“We’ll plan for them to play the way they’ve been playing and make adjustments on the day if we need to.”

West Coast’s past fortnight has been among the best football they’ve played under McQualter, who has shown his strong tactical nous.

Two moves in particular have helped, with defender Brady Hough being implemented successfully as a tagger, restricting the impact of Greater Western Sydney star Finn Callaghan and Collingwood great Scott Pendlebury.

And pre-season signing Milan Murdock has transformed his role, playing as a defensive forward when he has limited the influence of Lachie Whitfield and Josh Daicos.

McQualter said the pair could be sent to Zach Merrett and Archie Roberts, who loomed as the Bombers’ most dangerous weapons.

“We know that they’re two great players for them, but they’ve also got some real depth in their midfield and high-end talent,” he said.

“Even if we do go with roles, we have to be prepared to defend as a team, and if we don’t put pressure on the ball against the Bombers, they can definitely slice you.”

The Eagles will head into a game as favourites, which is a rarity for the side which has won only 11 games in the previous four seasons before three wins from only 11 matches this year.

However, the last time they were in this position they were upset by Richmond to the tune of 11 points on their own deck in front of a packed crowd and the famed 2006 premiership side who was celebrating their 20 year reunion.

McQualter said while it was a “good thing” in the lead-up, it mattered little once they stepped out onto the turf.

“The bookies don’t get it wrong often; there’s a reason why they do their odds, but the game starts at zero,” he said.

“We have to bring what we brought the last few weeks in terms of our effort, intent, and our defensive system.”