West Coast veteran Jeremy McGovern has thrown his full help behind Adam Simpson, saying he would fortunately inform the membership’s board to retain the premiership coach.
Simpson is contracted till the tip of 2025 however his future is underneath enormous doubt on the again of two underwhelming seasons.
West Coast have gained simply 5 video games for the reason that begin of the 2022 marketing campaign, with their 101-point loss to Fremantle a fortnight in the past seemingly the ultimate nail within the coffin for Simpson.
But final weekend’s shock seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs has revived hopes the coach may nonetheless be retained, with a web based petition launched to maintain him on.
The petition, on change.org, has attracted greater than 3600 signatures already, with Eagles followers even rocking as much as coaching this week armed with banners of help for Simpson.
West Coast will bid farewell to retiring stars Luke Shuey, Nic Naitanui and Shannon Hurn in Saturday evening’s conflict with Adelaide at Optus Stadium.
As effectively because the gamers, it is also Simpson’s last recreation however McGovern hopes the 47-year-old stays on the helm for years to return.
“I’m 100 per cent behind him. I’d love to see him keep coaching for as long as he can,” McGovern instructed reporters on Thursday.
“He’s been a great coach here for a long period of time. Hopefully that can continue.
“We’ve had some success with him. He is aware of what it is wish to construct a profitable group.”
McGovern said he would happily press Simpson’s case to the club’s board if they asked him for his opinion.
“I do not exit of my method to go and see these guys,” he mentioned.
“But in the event that they requested for that suggestions, in fact I’d inform them precisely what I believe … and I believe he needs to be right here. He needs to be teaching us.”
Simpson made a notable change to the game plan two years ago but he hasn’t been able to implement it properly due to a huge amount of injuries over that period.
McGovern is optimistic Simpson’s changes will work once the club has a clean bill of health.
Hurn and Shuey will return from injury to play in Saturday’s farewell game, but Naitanui (achilles tendon surgery) will be honoured from the sidelines.
McGovern said the player group were desperate to farewell the trio with a win.
“We’d like to ship these boys out on a excessive word,” McGovern mentioned.
“Whether we get the win or not, giving absolute effort and leaving nothing on the market can be one thing they’d respect and be fairly happy with.”
McGovern, presently 31, will change into the oldest participant on the listing subsequent season. He just lately signed a two-year contract extension that locks him in till 2025.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au