McQualter, who is contracted until the end of next season, is about to wrap up his second year in charge at the Eagles.
West Coast are currently riding a nine-match losing run, and they will start as underdogs in their remaining two games - against GWS at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday and against Hawthorn in Perth next week.
Although staring down the prospect of a 4-19 campaign, the Eagles have made big gains on last year, when they finished last with just one win to their name and a percentage of just 60.1.
McQualter has guided West Coast to just five victories in 44 games, but the club's hierarchy have been happy with the development of their youth.
No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma looks set for superstardom, Cooper Duff-Tytler has enjoyed a solid first year, while bright futures are tipped for the likes of Bo Allan, Josh Lindsay, Archer Reid and Jobe Shanahan among others.
McQualter is disappointed his team have only gleaned four wins so far in 2026, but he feels like the group is headed in the right direction.
So as for the prospect of a contract extension?
"Those conversations will begin in the off-season, so I haven't started them yet," McQualter said on Thursday.
"My focus has been clearly on trying to help this team, and improve us as much as we've done and we've got a long way to go.
"We've made some ground, particularly on where we were last year.
"But we've still got a lot of work to do and a long way to go."
Senior players Liam Duggan, Tom Cole, Jack Graham and Liam Baker have endured tough seasons.
But McQualter backed in his senior players, highlighting how they have willingly played different positions for the benefit of the team.
"I think it's important when you judge players - stats are one thing to judge them, but we've asked some of our senior players to play some different roles," McQualter said.
"So comparatively, just judging them year by year on stats may not be exactly like for like.
"I do ask a lot of the leaders and senior players, and have high standards of them, particularly to keep helping these (young) guys develop and be able to withstand AFL football, and these guys are tipping him.
"They're really invested in the club, they're investing in helping us really get our way out of this position we're in and climb back up the ladder."
