Sacked coach Adam Simpson says he understands why West Coast made the call to end his tenure at the club, and he is now looking forward to moving in “a different direction”.
Speaking Channel 7’s Talking Footy on Wednesday, Simpson admitted that the past couple of years had been a “real challenge” and he was “sad” but also “a little bit relieved” that the call had finally been made.
Simpson was informed by West Coast on Monday that the club would be looking to bring in a new coach.
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He said the club could now move forward and it gave West Coast decision-makers time to recruit new staff and players as they look to the future.
“It gives (them) a bit of space for the back half of the year,’ Simpson said.
Simpson said he had been overwhelmed by the support he had received in the aftermath of the decision, and also revealed that he had received some surprising messages as well.
And there was one message in particular that caught his eye and that was from a former AFL villain from the Eagles’ crosstown rivals.
“Hayden Ballantyne texted me today which was interesting,” Simpson told Talking Footy.
Ballantyne, of course, was a pesky small forward for Fremantle, and had a reputation for getting under rival players’ skin.
In 2014, Simpson’s first year as coach of West Coast, Ballantyne kicked the winning goal for Freo in a heart-stopping derby that the Eagles lost by seven points.
“(But) I have had a lot of support and a lot of well wishes,” he said.
“I have been in this industry for a long period of time but despite the fact that (the AFL is) really big, it’s also well connected and there’s so many good people so appreciate a lot of support.”
AFL coaches around the league also expressed their love and admiration for the 2018 premiership coach.
Justin Longmuir worked under Simpson for four years at West Coast before moving to Collingwood and then eventually landing the top job at Fremantle.
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Such is Longmuir’s respect for Simpson, he didn’t even want to talk about the possible replacements for the West Coast coach.
Instead, Longmuir used his weekly press conference to praise Simpson for the impact he’s had on his coaching career.
“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.”
West Coast have won just eight of their past 65 games, and are still in the early stages of the biggest rebuild in the club’s history.
No club was hit harder than West Coast by injuries and illness during the COVID pandemic.
“I feel for him as a person and what he’s gone through. It’s been a really challenging time,” Longmuir said.
“I just hope we all remember Simmo for his earlier days. He came in and had instant success – a grand final in his second year, he won a flag.
“The impact he’s had on a lot of young men, a lot of coaches around him, me being one of them (has been significant).
“He should walk out really proud of what he’s done.”
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said he would touch base with Simpson as a show of support.
“It’s always a sad day when you see a senior coach departing a footy club,” Goodwin said.
“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.
“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 it was hard for coaches to live up to the high expectations of fans while working in an environment where the AFL tries to promote competitive balance.
“So it creates a scenario where the AFL would like every team to win a premiership once every 18 years,” Scott said.
“But I’m pretty sure the fans and clubs don’t have that expectation, they’ve got higher expectations than that.
“He (Simpson) is a great person. I’ve got a lot of time for him. He’s been a great coach, he was a great player, and he’s given a lot to football.”
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Simpson has decided not to coach a farewell match against Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Instead interim coach Jarrad Schofield will take the reins.
However, Simpson said he would be at the match to show his appreciation to the fans.
“I’m really keen to get to the ground … mainly for the fans,” he said.
“I really appreciate what the members have done for our club and, for me personally in the last 12 months, they have sort of had our backs a little bit.
“So I would like to acknowledge that pre-game … toss the coin or something, but I will get out of the way pretty quickly.”