The Eagles' ended 2026 with a limp 62-point home loss to Hawthorn on Sunday night, with the result handing West Coast a 4-19 record for the year.
It was at least a step forward from last year's one-win wooden spoon campaign as they finished 16th, but more was expected for the Eagles after starting the year with two wins from their first three games.
"This period, it hurts now, and not being able to give our fans the satisfaction of singing the song, it hurts," McQualter said after the loss to Hawthorn.
"But we've got a bigger picture in mind and we have to continue to work really hard. We're trying to build a team that wins premierships."
McQualter is confident about what lies ahead, and that optimism stems from the emergence of a host of young, talented stars who are set to flourish over the coming years.
Harley Reid and Reuben Ginbey are already A-grade stars, while big things are expected from the likes of Cooper Duff-Tytler, Willem Duursma, Josh Lindsay, Jobe Shanahan, Bo Allan, Elijah Hewett and Archer Reid among others.
"We've deliberately gone backwards to go forward with how we've done this build," McQualter said.
"We didn't have anywhere near the list of what a premiership team list looks like. So we had to go and do research on that, how to do it.
"We've been able to bring in a huge amount of the right types and level of player.
"And now we've got to get to work and develop and help these guys become what we expect them to become.
"We've got some players on our list now that we're really excited about and we've been able to get some great footy and exposure into them this year in lots of different games and lots of different positions, which is going to hold us in good stead for the future."
With 13 players now out of contract, McQualter faces a series of tough calls over the coming weeks and months.
West Coast have already tabled mid-season revelation Marcus Herbert a contract offer, while ruckman Matt Flynn is expected to be retained despite losing the No.1 ruck mantle to Bailey Williams.
Veteran premiership defender Tom Cole has reinvigorated his career by becoming a pressure forward and is also set to play on, but there are a host of other players who are facing the cut.
McQualter expects West Coast to be active in the trade and free agency period as they look to bolster the league's youngest squad with more experience.
