Adam Simpson understands why West Coast fans are calling for his head but says he’s prepared to take the “bumps and bruises” of what looms as a painful rebuild.
Head coach Simpson fronted the media on Tuesday for a tense press conference in which he stood firm in his belief he is the right man to take the club forward.
The premiership mentor also denied long-serving fitness boss Warren Kofoed had been the fall guy for Saturday night’s 171-point loss to Sydney.
The Eagles announced on Monday evening that Kofoed, who has been at the club for 15 years, would be leaving at the end of the season.
“Scapegoat? Don’t be silly,” Simpson said.
“He’s staying on for the rest of the season.
“Part of those reasons (that Kofoed’s departure was announced now) are we need to get out there and have a look around at who’s going to take the role next year.
“So not connecting it to the game on the weekend. Not at all.”
A large number of Eagles fans have called for Simpson to be moved on in the wake of Saturday’s bloodbath against Sydney.
Chief executive Trevor Nisbett is also under the pump.
The Swans loss was the equal-fourth largest defeat in VFL/AFL history and marked the fourth time in West Coast’s 12-match losing run that they had suffered a triple-figure defeat.
Simpson is contracted until the end of 2025, and the club is publicly supporting him to coach on beyond the current crisis.
The 47-year-old insisted he understands the fans’ calls for change.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
“That’s a fair comment. No one likes what happened on the weekend, and no one’s hurting more than me. So I understand the frustration,” Simpson said.
“I just know how big the journey is and how big the job is.
“It’s not an easy one. It’s not for everyone. So you’ve got to be up for some bumps and bruises along the way.
“I’m not in the depths of despair. I knew that the journey that we’re on is a big one.
“We didn’t want a game like that (against Sydney), or the game we had against Adelaide (a 122-point loss), but we have.
“So it’s about how resilient can you be and what can you do to get out of it. It’s not a quick fix.”
When asked about who he has been leaning on for support during the hardest part of his coaching career, Simpson cracked a rare joke.
“I wish I could say my wife but she’s not talking to me at the moment either,” he said.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. We need to get the players confident.
“We need to get them fit and available and get the best out of them. That’s my priority, not not how I’m travelling.
“Health wise – it’s coaching. I’m not curing cancer. This is a tough job. It’s not for everyone.
“But I’ve been in this industry since 1993 so not much can get through. I’m OK.”
Simpson said the group had done some “soul searching” in recent days, and he also conducted a “brutal” review after the Sydney debacle.
But he insisted there was no need for an external review into the club’s failings this year.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
The ones that aren't frightened to mark. OohTough guys
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
And the fullback is the only one who can "catch" the ball.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
There is one fit guy on either wing. Sheesh. Keep up
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Reverse psychology won’t work, no jinx.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I used to follow NRL and l dud barrack for them. But they became a grub retirement home and l lost interest
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Just want us to make up that 1-0 deficit from the First Test. Wait what? We won?
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
That's quite unfair Priddis there are 2 wingers and a fullback.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
And apologies to any Cronulla supporters :laughing:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Can’t wait let it rip l say :thumbup:
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Nick
Roar Rookie
ever watched the last 5 minutes of a rugby match? It's basically just a massive pile on where some fat bloke picks up the ball and jumps into the pile on, and then another fat bloke picks up the ball and jumps into the pile on for 5 minutes. And yet, somehow in between that the ref would have called 2 penalties for obscure reasons and 11 drinks breaks would have taken place.
Nick
Roar Rookie
I found a clip of Eddie Jones talking about his family in a press conference. Took 7 seconds on google.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I was unaware that WC never played teams from SA, NSW or Qld and soon Tasmania. This needs righting pronto.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The new Ang Lee film is called "Running Skinny Guy, Squatting Fat Guy"
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I could make a disparaging comment ... ------- RL is a socialist game run by capitalist where the ball is given back to you if two players tackle you and you lose it. Or where when you are tackled and the 'tacklee' gets to keep the ball despite the tackler besting you in the play (Socialism 101). Then there's the spectacle of having a specialist kicker in a sport that a Martian would think everybody was a kicker because their fan base call it football; the allegations haven't been proved yet. The Martian reports back that either the game or the language is so stupid that they shouldn't get involved with those on Earth and don't start me on John Stoppa Farté. ------ Or if it's RU the sport where they dress up like footballers but are really hairdressers using their boots to comb the hair of their opponents. Or a sport that is so dependent on a body type that it is now just that body type that can play. ------- Or the fact that the reason that RL split from RU is now non-existent but the two sports play what is essentially the same game and they can't see that reuniting would be the best thing that can happen to them. ------- .... but l won't
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It's cricket o'clock somewhere
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I had a good laugh over that
Chanon
Roar Rookie
They will need to clean out the entire club & also rip up the rock hard surface relay it & start again. Like you suggest the place has imploded nothing left. Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall……..
Chanon
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
Even I wouldn't want to watch that! You forgot "try to pass the egg ball to the only fit guy on the wing so he can run pass the other teams crouching fat guys" :laughing: