Besieged West Coast coach Adam Simpson has mirrored on how tanking allegations “cut deep” following the Eagles’ extraordinary upset of the Western Bulldogs.
Just days after the membership’s board started considering Simpson’s future, West Coast triumphed at Marvel Stadium to raise themselves off the underside of the ladder for the primary time since May 21.
It was simply the Eagles’ fifth victory of their previous 48 video games.
Two weeks in the past, West Coast fell one level shy of defeating Essendon on the identical venue.
The Eagles’ efficiency late in that sport was questioned and allegations of tanking have been directed in direction of Simpson and the membership.
“Last week was pretty heavy but I was more disappointed about the criticism about the tanking stuff, like that that probably cut me a bit deeper, so put that to bed (with the win against the Bulldogs),” Simpson stated on Sunday.
“It was a flippant comment by a few people about the Essendon game and strategically we tried to manipulate the games that we lose, and that’s just not on.
“It’s laborious to reply since you do not need to, however I’ve now so unhealthy luck.
“We move on real quick, not stressed too much, but at the time, thinking ‘really? Is that what you think we do?’.
“As a membership, we’d take this win any day of the week to assist construct what we’re attempting to do sooner or later.”
West Coast will avoid claiming the club’s second wooden spoon if North Melbourne fail to beat Gold Coast in Hobart next week.
The Eagles had been in the box-seat to snare Harley Reid, this year’s nominal No.1 draft pick, for most of the season as they occupied the bottom of the table.
From country Victoria, Reid has been at the centre of intense speculation over his future, with whispers he would prefer to not move to Western Australia.
A SEN report this week claimed Reid had liked an Instagram post about Simpson’s job at the Eagles being discussed.
“I really feel for Harley,” Simpson stated.
“My son’s (mate) preferred the identical factor, so perhaps that needs to be on the again web page.
“I said ‘what’s going on? Three of your mates, take them to footy training all the time and they want me to get get the flick?
“Just had amusing. Reckons he simply likes all the pieces, this child.”
The solely draw back for the Eagles was a hamstring damage to Eagles premiership hero Elliot Yeo, who will miss the farewell sport for membership legends Shannon Hurn and Luke Shuey towards Adelaide on Saturday evening.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
