Overwhelming majority of West Coast Eagles members want Jarrad Schofield as head coach beyond 2024

An overwhelming majority of West Coast members want caretaker coach Jarrad Schofield to continue leading the side beyond 2024. It comes as the Eagles continue their search to replace Adam Simpson — who was axed last month after 11 years at the helm — with a number of leading candidates publicly declaring they are not interested in the top job. A poll conducted by The West Australian shows that 78 per cent of Eagles members want Schofield to remain on as coach beyond the end of this season, with 17 per cent against his appointment and five per cent saying they are unsure. The interim coach’s stocks were bolstered by a gritty 10-point over Gold Coast on Friday night and a strong showing in the previous week’s western derby. His comments defending young star Harley Reid’s “tough approach” after he was targeted by players and booed by rival supporters in the Fremantle clash also reportedly made a strong impression inside the four walls. The most popular reasons for West Coast members voting in favour of Schofield were his proven success in the WAFL — having led Subiaco to five grand finals and three flags — as well as the positive sign since he took over last month, with a number stating he had instilled toughness back into the side. A number of supporters said there was no better time to give an assistant the senior gig, given the support he would receive from chief executive Don Pyke, who is a former Adelaide coach and Sydney assistant. Those who did not vote in favour of his full-time appointment mainly stated the club needed a new, external voice if they were serious about their rebuild, while others said it would take more than a single win to prove he is head coach material. Schofield said after the win against the Suns on Friday he was enjoying his time at the helm and was unsure of his full-time chances. “When you see all the hard work that the players put in and the smiles on their faces, that’s why you coach,” he said. “You just love it. I couldn’t be any prouder of the players. “I said the other day that wins and losses, I don’t know if they will mount up or not in terms of whether I’m endorsed. “What I do know is it just solidifies why I coach, why I accepted the opportunity to step up as interim.” Legendary coach and The West expert columnist Mick Malthouse last month backed Schofield to take on the top job as it was clear from his first game against Brisbane the intensity of the team had lifted and he was prepared to make tough calls such as dropping veteran Jack Darling. “I believe the bravery of Schofield’s decision on Darling, and the competitiveness of his team against last year’s runners-up last week is a big reason for the coaching selection panel to move him up on their list of candidates,” he wrote in The West last month. “If Schofield can, in this short period of time, get the players to play for him and be highly competitive, then he must come into serious contention. His apprenticeship is complete.” 7NEWS presenter Ryan Daniels wrote in The West on Saturday the caretaker coach had garnered momentum within West Coast and was the club’s best option. “Jarrad Schofield is thriving in the role of the boy next door — doing and saying all the right things — while the eyes of West Coast wander around the league, looking for Mr Right,” Daniels wrote. Former West Coast player and current Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham on Sunday became the latest to bow out from the job, following the likes of Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley and assistant Josh Carr, Eagles great Dean Cox and ex-Collingwood leader Nathan Buckley. It leaves 2006 premiership player and Carlton offensive coach Ashley Hansen and GWS assistant Brett Montgomery as the external frontrunners. West Coast announced last week they had formed a selection panel for the head coach role, comprising of Pyke, football manager Gavin Bell, director and premiership player Rowan Jones, director Jan Cooper and leadership consultant and Geelong great Harry Taylor. The Eagles said in a statement they had determined the “key competencies and skills” they were looking for in a head coach and the panel had created a shortlist of candidates to interview.