Adam Simpson: State rallies behind ousted West Coast Eagles coach after axing

The entire State has rallied behind ousted West Coast coach Adam Simpson after his shock axing, with everyone from former players, diehard fans and even the Premier showering him in support. Simpson’s 11 years in the top job officially came to an end on Tuesday when the club announced they would “mutually part ways” with the long-time leader. The 48-year-old — who on Wednesday officially turned down an offer to coach one final game this weekend — led the side to the 2018 premiership and another grand final, but his impressive record was marred by a horror past three years, where his side lost nine of every 10 games. It reached boiling point last week after an exclusive report by The West Australian revealed a number of players did not want Simpson to coach beyond this season, sparking calls from the Eagles fanbase for him to call time. But the tide turned when The West Australian highlighted his recent record on the front page of Wednesday’s newspaper, writing ‘See ya Simmo’ under a graphic depicting the Eagles’ shocking streak of just eight wins in the last 65 matches. West Coast premiership player Will Schofield was quick to criticise his former coach’s page one treatment, creating his own cover that read ‘Thanks Simmo’ with images of the team’s flag glory six years ago. “Here ... I fixed it for you,” the 35-year-old wrote on X (formerly Twitter.) in a post that was shared by West Coast. North Melbourne premiership player and seven-time All-Australian Wayne Carey also created his own version of the front page, again using a six-year-old photo of his former teammate after the grand final win. Perth Wildcats legend Greg Hire too took to Photoshop to mock-up his own front cover based on the 2018 premiership, even adding his own kicker under the ‘Thanks Simmo’ headline that said: “Adam Simpson’s tenure as West Coast Eagles coach concludes, marking the end of a distinguished premiership era.” “Despite recent challenges, Simpson’s contributions and dedication have left a lasting legacy.” Hire — who is one of the most celebrated WA basketballers in history — posted the image with a caption that stated: “Often, negativity is amplified and overshadows the positive achievements that individuals/teams have.” Ex-AFL player turned reality television star Daniel Gorringe posted a video of himself to his Instagram page alongside the front page, which he claimed was a “debacle.” “What are we doing, The West Australian?,” the former Big Brother contestant said. “Hate it, disgusting, gross ... too much, hate it!” A number of West Coast players shared Gorringe’s video to their social media in apparent support of Simpson, including teenage star Harley Reid, who posted it to his Instagram story alongside a “facepalm” emoji. The 19-year-old also wrote in a separate post: “Couldn’t thank this bloke enough for what his (sic) done in such a short time of my career. One of the greatest to ever do it and has put up with so much crap.” Tom Barrass, Liam Ryan and Elliot Yeo were among the veterans who also shared the post, as well as fellow players Jamaine Jones and Bailey Williams. WA Premier Roger Cook on Wednesday paid tribute to Simpson, saying that sporting personalities were often given a “rough deal.” “This is sport, right — you win some you lose some,” Mr Cook told reporters in Tom Price. “Adam Simpson’s provided a great service to the sport of AFL. I look forward to his ongoing success in the future and wish him all the very best. “He’s worked with a young cohort, a young squad, he’s continuing that long road back which the Eagles have to develop that young squad.” “I look if you look at all sports, sporting personalities, particularly coaches, sometimes they get dealt a really tough deal. The Premier, a Fremantle Dockers supporter, also didn’t miss a chance to exploit WA’s bitter footy rivalry. “Of course, he’s done great service to the second most important Western Australian team in the national competition,” Mr Cook said. AFL coaches across the league also paid tribute to Simpson, including his crosstown rival Justin Longmuir, a former assistant at the Eagles. “I’m very thankful for my time working with him,” Longmuir said. “I took a lot from the way he set the environment up, the way he coached, the way he educated, tactics.” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said it was sad to see Simpson depart. “Obviously for Adam, it’s not necessarily a sad day, it should be a celebration of what he’s contributed to that footy club — 11 years, premiership, grand final,” Goodwin said. “He’s a very stable person and he’s been a great coach for their footy club and one that they’ll cherish when they look back.” Collingwood coach Craig McRae praised the way Simpson handled his exit. “It’s hard to watch one of your other coaches lose his job,” McRae said. “A premiership coach, an incredible record. He’s a class act.” Essendon coach Brad Scott said Simpson was a great person, who he had a lot of time for. “He’s been a great coach, he was a great player, and he’s given a lot to football,” Scott said. Simpson officially declined West Coast’s offer to coach a final game against Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Sunday, with the coach to instead be honoured before the bounce. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful support I have enjoyed from our members and fans over the last 11 years,” Simpson said on Wednesday. “They have been fantastic from the day I arrived and have stuck with us.” It means Sunday’s defeat to Melbourne at the MCG is the final game of the premiership coach’s 11-year tenure and he will finish third — one game behind Mick Malthouse — among the Eagles’ longest-serving coaches. Club great and current Sydney assistant coach Dean Cox currently leads the race to take over the top job, with West Coast midfield coach Jarrad Schofield to fill in until the end of 2024. Schofield, former player and Carlton assistant Ash Hansen and Fremantle forward coach Jaymie Graham are among others believed to be in the mix. West Coast chief executive Don Pyke would not be drawn into naming the contenders but said the process for finding a new coach would begin immediately.