The West Coast Eagles sparked confusion over its plan for coach Adam Simpson to go on a three-month vacation on the finish of the season, seemingly confirming after which denying studies the coach could be given a go away of absence.
The Eagles are lifeless final on the AFL ladder after they have been crushed by 116 factors by then-18th positioned Hawthorn on the weekend.
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But regardless of what many have referred to as one of many darkest days within the historical past of the membership, the Eagles are reportedly decided to hold on to the person who took the facet to the 2018 flag.
Ahead of Channel 9’s Footy Classified, Eddie McGuire advised Tony Jones on Nine News of the unimaginable lengths the membership will go to to hold on to the skilled mentor.
“West Coast Eagles want to keep him but they’re really worried about him as well as what’s going on with the other coaches,” McGuire stated.
“You watch Adam Simpson, it’s like watching someone age in front of you at the moment. He’s had a tough time because of what’s been going on with the injuries and the like and we’re going to do a deep dive into what’s going on at the West Coast Eagles.
“My belief is they want him to take an extended leave to take a break with his family, get out of town and go and have a three-month holiday if he wants to stay as coach of the West Coast Eagles and stay at that club.
“They’re a way down the track about their thought about what they want to do next year.”
However, the Eagles later denied it could ship Simpson away, tweeting: “Reports that senior coach Adam Simpson has been asked to take a three-month break at the end of the season are inaccurate. No such discussion has taken place.”
This is regardless of a membership spokeperson earlier telling the Herald Sun: “Adam will coach out the remainder of the season.
“He is up for the challenge and keen to improve and develop our players and game plan.
“When our season ends he will be encouraged to take an extended break to refresh.”
Simpson, who has been accountable for the Eagles because the 2014 season, is the fourth-longest tenured coach presently within the AFL after Damien Hardwick’s exit earlier this week.
Geelong’s Chris Scott and Sydney’s John Longmire each joined their golf equipment for the 2011 season, whereas Ken Hinkley took the reins at Port Adelaide for the 2013 season.
Alastair Clarkson has solely been on the Kangaroos this season however had 17 seasons at Hawthorn, whereas Ross Lyon is in his second stint at St Kilda and his 14th season as a senior coach.
Essendon coach Brad Scott additionally had 10 seasons at North Melbourne to 2019 earlier than he joined the Bombers this season.
It’s been a fast fall from grace for the Eagles, who went from premiers in 2018, adopted by two fifth-placed finishes earlier than simply lacking the finals in ninth in 2021.
But final season, the Eagles dropped to seventeenth final season and are presently in 18th place with only one win from 10 matches this season and simply three wins from the membership’s final 36 begins.
The facet is lacking 10 of its 15 greatest gamers nonetheless.
It’s led to requires Simpson’s head after the 116-point loss to the Hawks.
Eagles nice Glen Jakovich advised 6PR: “Definitely, he has to go – he can’t continue.
“Something has to happen – the club has to come out, defend that and talk to their supporters. Not every keeps their job.
“Unfortunately, yeah it is (his time up). Something has to give – that cannot continue.
“We came today thinking a competitive game between the 17th and 18th side – 116-point loss? The fifth worst in the club’s history? Against Hawthorn who are just going? Sorry.”
Captain Luke Shuey, who’s on the harm checklist, again his coach nonetheless.
“I get the narrative people are going after and the agenda that might be being chased externally – bash West Coast while they’re down and try to get someone sacked maybe,” he stated.
“But you’re not going to get any click bait with that sort of stuff from our players at the moment.
“We’re fully confident with who we have here. I’ve never seen a more driven group to turn this around, and I wouldn’t want to be doing it with anyone else.”
Source: www.news.com.au
