AFL News: Confusion over Eagles' Simpson leave plan as club denies report, Hodge slams 'poor taste' Clarko dig

West Coast have denied emerging reports they will encourage embattled coach Adam Simpson to take an extended period off at the end of this season.

The mental wellbeing of AFL coaches is front and centre in the footy world, with two coaching legends in Alastair Clarkson and Damien Hardwick stepping away from the game and citing significant emotional burnout. Clarkson has taken an indefinite leave from North Melbourne amid mental health concerns over the ongoing racism investigation, while Hardwick resigned effective immediately from his celebrated post at Richmond due to burnout after more than 13 years at the helm.

According to a report from Eddie McGuire on Footy Classified, the Eagles are concerned with Simpson being similarly affected, particularly given the club’s disastrous on-field results amid an unprecedented injury run.

“West Coast Eagles want to keep him [Simpson] but they’re really worried about him as well as what’s going on with the other coaches,” McGuire said.

“You watch Adam Simpson, it’s like watching someone age in front of you at the moment. He’s had a tough time because of what’s been going on with the injuries and the like.

“My belief is they want him to take an extended leave to take a break with his family, get out of town and go and have a three-month holiday if he wants to stay as coach of the West Coast Eagles and stay at that club.”

A club spokesperson also reportedly confirmed the plan to the Herald Sun, stating: “Adam will coach out the remainder of the season.

“He is up for the challenge and keen to improve and develop our players and game plan.

“When our season ends he will be encouraged to take an extended break to refresh.”

However, the Eagles have since refuted the claims in no uncertain terms, posting to social media in response.

The Eagles ended their premiership defence in underwhelming circumstances. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

“Reports that senior coach Adam Simpson has been asked to take a three-month break at the end of the season are inaccurate,” the statement reads.

“No such discussion has taken place.”

Simpson, the Eagles’ 2018 premiership coach, is contracted to remain at the club until the end of 2025, but is facing speculation over his future after the team were humiliated by fellow struggling team Hawthorn to the tune of 116 points on Sunday.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning, former great Garry Lyon said the best solution for Simpson and the Eagles might be for him to step away as coach altogether.

I think that’s the cleanest, clearest thing for him to do for the whole West Coast situation,” Lyon said of a Simpson resignation.

“He should leave, because is he going to bury himself now back into that footy club? It’s going to take five years for them to re-emerge.

“Is he going to be there in five years? I don’t think so.”

‘Poor taste’: Hodge slams Kennett’s subtle Clarko dig

Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge has hit out at a social media post from former president Jeff Kennett, ostensibly to praise outgoing Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.

Kennett posted to Twitter in the wake of Hardwick’s shock resignation announcement, praising him for ‘calling time on himself when he felt necessary’.

“He has been remarkably successful for Richmond, and the AFL. He will be missed. By calling time on himself when he felt necessary, with his reputation in tact [sic] and saluted by all in the industry, his legacy only enhanced. Thank you,” Kennett wrote.

Kennett was quickly accused of taking a dig at Clarkson’s exit from Hawthorn with the Tweet, who was infamously pushed out of the club during 2021 as the club looked to install Sam Mitchell as its long-term coach.

Clarkson was first informed that he would coach until the end of 2022 before handing the reins to Mitchell, before the two parties agreed on a sizeable early payout that saw the four-time premiership coach depart at the end of 2021.

Speaking on SEN, Hodge, who captained three of those premierships, hit out at Kennett, describing his Tweet as in ‘poor taste’.

“that last part was having a pointed shot at a former coach, and a former coach who’s done so much for his football club,” Hodge said.

“There’s times where you have a go at people and try and get your point across – but there’s times where you sit back and celebrate Damien Hardwick and what he did.

“There was no need for him to put that end part in… anyone with half a brain could realise he was having a dig at Clarko.

“I thought that was very, very poor taste from someone who should know better.”