West Coast Eagles fans and pundits declare it’s time for coach Adam Simpson to leave club

Aaron KirbyThe West Australian
CommentsComments
VideoPort Adelaide's coach and vice-captain went head-to-head late in the second quarter.

Pressure is mounting again on West Coast coach Adam Simpson in the wake of his side’s heavy defeat at the hands of Melbourne on Sunday.

The 54-point defeat — and injury concerns for stars Jeremy McGovern and Oscar Allen — come just days after The West Australian revealed multiple player want to see a change of coach for next season.

Calls are growing for the Eagles to replace Simpson at the end of this season, with expert Kane Cornes suggesting the 2018 premiership boss has lost the ability to inspire the players and that there will be “a big story” unfolding after the loss.

The Eagles have lost their past six matches and last week’s defeat to Hawthorn has been widely labelled one of their worst under Simpon.

The Eagles were simply outrun and outworked at the MCG by Melbourne, a team they beat in Perth just six weeks ago. They had vowed to respond emphatically to the Hawks loss seven days prior.

Read more...

Cornes told AFL Nation listeners that he felt the players were voting with their feet in the lacklustre performance.

“West Coast, it appears, have given up on the game, given up on their coach and given up on their season,” he said.

“We couldn’t be any stronger that the Eagles have given up on their coach here this afternoon at the MCG.

“This will be a big story here unfolding during the week.”

Former Geelong star Jimmy Bartel joined the chorus of voices calling for change.

“You can get beaten by a better side, we know where they are on the ladder, but there’s players just walking around,” he said on Channel 9.

“Teams who are winning a lot don’t do that and maybe a fresh voice might spark them but Adam Simpson said it himself; if it’s him, it’s him and if it’s not he knows where he’s at.”

West Coast fans were also quick to make their feeling known, with the majority of The West Australian readers calling for Simpson to go quietly into the night.

Lorraine Simpson acknowledged Simpson’s achievements before pleading for the club to move them on.

“I really don’t think players are not listening any more I was a big supporter of Simmo but I do believe it’s time for him to go,” she wrote.

Eddie Bryce called for the club to bring former champion Dean Cox across from the high-flying Sydney Swans and for CEO Don Pyke to make a statement of intent.

“Have you heard from Coxy yet? I’ll pay for his flight,” he wrote.

“Don Pyke, please make a statement today to stop the rot.”

Another fan took aim at the club’s board, who locked Simpson in for a further two years at the end of the wooden spoon campaign in 2023.

“Of course he will (survive), because the WC Board doesn’t care about the club’s legacy anymore,” Alen Havic wrote.

David Miller agreed with Mr Havic.

“Maybe the board members should be sacked for not doing what every other club would have done two years ago! Nesbitt’s legacy keeps on failing the club... he re-signed Simpson and Rotham for three years,” he wrote.

Camera IconDean Cox, Game Strategy & Ruck Coach of the Swans instructs players on a laptop. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Steve Adams was strong in his response to the loss to Melbourne.

“The players have sent him a message again and again by not playing to win. This guy is so blind and delusional he can’t see it. Simmo needs to go. Sack him, pay him out and give someone else a crack. They couldn’t do any worse, and he certainly won’t improve. Time for a change,” he wrote.

Ken Baldwin felt sympathy for the Eagles coach but said the club needed to show signs of improvement.

“It’s not just the coach’s fault; the changes need to start with him. All other clubs apart from Richmond seem to be improving. Unfortunately, the Eagles are going nowhere at the moment,” he wrote.

One fan even asked for a mass cleanout.

“Get rid of Simmo, Gaff, Darling, and then maybe we can rebuild with new players and a new coach,” Caleb Smith wrote.

Maurice Drage wrote: “expired date overdue for Simpson”.

The Eagles now have a long week ahead before taking on Brisbane at Optus Stadium next Sunday.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails