Adam Simpson will stay West Coast coach after the membership’s board got here to a “unanimous” choice to maintain the 2018 premiership mentor.
The Eagles confirmed Simpson would proceed for the ultimate two years of his contract, releasing an announcement simply earlier than 5pm after board members had descended on the membership’s Lathlain headquarters from simply after 2pm.
“At the meeting today the board unanimously agreed that Adam will remain as senior coach,” Eagles chair Paul Fitzpatrick mentioned.
“No one knows our playing list better than Adam and he has already steered us through the first phase of the rebuild. We are confident he can take us forward and take us where we aspire to be.
“Our season came to an end on Saturday night and we finished at the foot of the premiership table. That does not sit well with anyone at the club and we are all aware that there is much work to be done to return as a force in the competition.”
Simpson’s future has been the topic of accelerating hypothesis because the season has worn on, with West Coast following up final 12 months’s two win marketing campaign with simply three victories in 2023.
This 12 months’s outcomes included a 16-game shedding streak and 5 trouncings by greater than 100 factors, with the low level a club-record 171-point hiding by the hands of Sydney in June.
Members of West Coast’s board met at chair Paul Fitzpatrick’s home final Monday because the membership weighed up whether or not to let the coach see out the ultimate two years on his contract.
They descended on Mineral Resources Park on Monday afternoon earlier than coming to the choice.
Fitzpatrick described Simpson as “central” to the membership’s rebuild off the again of their wood spoon marketing campaign.
“Some of the work that is required to improve has already started and it will continue in the off-season and through the pre-season. We know we need to be better across all aspects in the football program,” Fitzpatrick mentioned.
“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 also open to bringing in players through the trade period who fit our needs and list profile.
“Adam is central to our development plans to assist the club’s rise up the ladder.”
West Coast have received simply 5 video games up to now two seasons, with Simpson coming underneath growing strain to retain his function after overseeing 5 triple-digit losses this 12 months.
The current struggles had been a far cry from Simpson’s first half-decade on the helm after becoming a member of the Eagles on the finish of 2013 to switch John Worsfold.
After a finals near-miss in 2014, Simpson led West Coast into an unlikely grand last the next 12 months, leading to a 46-point loss to Hawthorn.
The Eagles challenged within the subsequent two seasons earlier than Simpson cemented his legacy by lifting the premiership cup alongside Shannon Hurn with an exciting five-point grand last triumph.
Simpson was integral in spearheading the ‘Friends, family, flags’ mantra that ran as a theme for the profitable season.
The membership farewelled three gamers who had been essential to that period of success in Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui on Saturday evening.
Fitzpatrick mentioned the emotional goodbye was a credit score to the membership’s loyal supporters and signified the tip of an period at West Coast.
“While this season has been challenging I would like to again acknowledge our members and fans for their loyal support of the club,” he mentioned.
“To have 47,000 at Optus Stadium again on Saturday was quite remarkable and provided a wonderful backdrop to farewell three West Coast Eagles champions.
“I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui over almost two decades.
“If we needed a reminder that this is the start of a new era it came through the post-match celebrations of these stars of our club. They are legends in every sense.”
More to return
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
