West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has backed the club’s controversial call to seek draft assistance from the AFL.

McQualter said it was clear the Eagles qualified for priority picks amid a horror four-year run of results ahead of a compromised draft.

“It’s something that’s available in the system and quite simply, we’re aligned that we’re in a position we think that we can apply for it,” McQualter said.

“And then the AFL look at it and they decide so that’s where it’s at. At the moment, we’re in a rush to get better, and it’s a way that we can get better.”

Eagles CEO Don Pyke confirmed on Wednesday the club would make a formal submission to the league having posted just 11 wins from their past 91 games.

If the Eagles lose to the Demons at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, they will finish bottom and secure the coveted No. 1 selection and with Oscar Allen expected to join the Brisbane Lions are likely to gain pick two as band one compensation.

McQualter said there were concerns some of their early picks would slide given the number of father-son and academy selections that are likely to fall in the first round.

“You’re right in saying that with the compromised draft the picks will slide this year, that’s looking like it’s really significant,” McQualter said.

“I haven’t been involved in the actual application. I’ve been across it, but not involved in it, so I’m not sure the answer to it. We’ll just apply and see where it lands.

“We’re in a rush to get better and historically, the ways to get better are draft, trade, free agent and priority bids, that’s part of the rules.

“So we need to explore all the options we can and whatever it lands us, whether it’s more picks, a high pick, wherever, if it’s an opportunity for us to get better, we’ll take it.”

McQualter did not rule out luring more experienced players west, following the success of bringing Richmond premiership pair Liam Baker and Jack Graham to the club this season.

“Potentially, for sure, we’re looking at that as well. That’s an option. I think we we’ve said it really publicly, where we’re open to every avenue,” he said.

“And that will be draft this year that we’ll target and we’ll also target trade and free agency.”

The Eagles coach also addressed critics who believe the AFL’s most powerful financial club did not deserve assistance for a problem it created.

“I think it’s really clear that there’s soft cap, salary cap. It’s irrelevant the position of the club (off field),” he said.

“We’re just looking at it from the performances in the last four years and the history of what priority picks get given for. We think we qualify. So we’ve applied for it,” he said.

McQualter also defended the club’s decision to allow Harley Reid to head home to country Victoria after his season ended with a syndesmosis injury.

“We do that with all of our players,” McQualter said.

“Harley’s not going to play again this season, and he’s... in a moon boot still.

“When you get an opportunity to send players back to the home States, we always support that. Harley is in that position.

“Bo Allan went back to his home in Mandurah when he hurt his ankle last week, so that’s common practice for us.”

McQualter said Reid would return next week to begin his rehabilitation.