Adam Simpson will stay as West Coast coach after the embattled AFL membership’s board “unanimously agreed” he ought to proceed within the function.
There had been rising hypothesis that Simpson can be sacked, given the Eagles completed backside this season and have received solely 5 video games up to now two years.
This yr’s picket spoon marketing campaign was notably dangerous, with the Eagles shedding 5 matches by greater than 100 factors.
The worst was a 171-point defeat to Sydney in spherical 15.
But with Simpson contracted till the top of 2025 on a profitable deal, it will have been a pricey train for West Coast to chop ties with him this early.
Simpson’s $800,000-a-season deal coupled with the AFL’s luxurious tax meant the Eagles confronted a payout approaching $6 million in the event that they determined to axe him.
West Coast’s board met on Monday, with the Eagles releasing a press release confirming Simpson would keep on as coach.
“At the meeting today the board unanimously agreed that Adam will remain as senior coach,” Eagles chairman Paul Fitzpatrick mentioned in a press release.
“No one knows our playing list better than Adam and he has already steered us through the first phase of the rebuild.
“We are assured he can take us ahead and take us the place we aspire to be.
“Our season came to an end on Saturday night and we finished at the foot of the premiership table.
“That doesn’t sit effectively with anybody on the membership and we’re all conscious that there’s a lot work to be finished to return as a power within the competitors.
“We will again go to the draft where we currently hold the first selection and we will look to bring in some elite youngsters with that and other selections.
“We are additionally open to bringing in gamers via the commerce interval who match our wants and listing profile.
“Adam is central to our development plans to assist the club’s rise up the ladder.”
West Coast’s board had steadfastly backed Simpson for a lot of the season, however the indicators regarded ominous when there was deathly silence following the 101-point loss to Fremantle in spherical 22.
A shock seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium per week later revived hopes Simpson can be saved on.
A fan-led petition to retain Simpson attracted greater than 5200 signatures.
The 10-year coach acquired big cheers at any time when he was proven on the Optus Stadium huge display screen throughout final week’s 45-point loss to Adelaide.
Senior gamers corresponding to Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey and Tim Kelly had been vocal of their assist of the coach, and Simpson acquired the great news on Monday that he can be retained.
Simpson led West Coast to the 2018 premiership, becoming a member of Mick Malthouse and John Worsfold as the one different coaches to have tasted flag success on the membership.
Shuey, Naitanui and Shannon Hurn all retired this yr, sparking the top of an period for the membership.
The silver lining of West Coast’s picket spoon is the No.1 choose on the nationwide draft.
The Eagles can both use it to snare increase Victorian midfielder Harley Reid, or commerce it to a rival membership for as much as three first-round picks in return.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
