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West Coast has backed Adam Simpson to remain as senior coach after the Eagles finished the 2023 AFL season at the bottom of the ladder.
The decision followed a board meeting at West Coast’s Lathlain headquarters on Monday, and chairman Paul Fitzpatrick said in a statement it was unanimously agreed Simpson would stay on.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has endured a testing season.Credit: Getty Images
“Our season came to an end on Saturday night and we finished at the foot of the premiership table,” Fitzpatrick said.
“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.”
Speculation had swirled towards the end of the season over the future of Simpson, who has coached the club for 10 seasons including the Eagles’ 2018 premiership. He has a contract with the club until the end of 2025.
Had Simpson been let go, paying him out the remainder of his contract may have pushed the Eagles over their salary cap.
The Eagles lost five games by more than 100 points this year and collected the wooden spoon with just three wins recorded from 23 games. Last year, the club recorded just two wins, and narrowly missed out on the wooden spoon through percentage points.
However, ending 2023 at the bottom of the ladder comes with the consolation prize of first pick in the upcoming draft, which wasn’t lost on Fitzpatrick.
“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,” he said in his statement.
“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.”
Simpson will remain, but the Eagles farewelled three senior players this year, including Nic Naitinui and former captains Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn.
Fitzpatrick paid tribute to the veteran trio, noting 47,000 people showed up to the Eagles’ final clash against Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Saturday for Hurn and Shuey’s final game.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
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