An ugly result against Melbourne could reportedly spell the “end of the road” for Eagles coach Adam Simpson amid player unrest.
The West Australian reported this week a group of West Coast players want Simpson to depart the club at season’s end – a report Simpson labelled “a bit grubby” and “not ideal” but conceded “it’s not uncommon” for some players to be disgruntled.
Speaking on SEN radio on Saturday, AFL journalist Sam Edmund had fears for Simpson’s future if his 3-12 side produced another dire performance like in last week’s 61-point home loss to Hawthorn as it looks to snap a five-game losing streak.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
“My understanding of the situation is that the player unrest is real and how much I don’t profess to be able to speak for 44 guys on the list,” Edmund told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“What it has done is that it’s got to the stage, and hopefully this doesn’t happen, but if they have a really grisly result against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday then I think there’s a real chance it could be the end of the road for Adam Simpson.
“Player unrest feeds into it and is reminiscent of the game last year in Round 23 when they somehow got up to beat the Western Bulldogs when the Eagles board had gathered in the lead into that game and if it is a nasty one against Melbourne I think the Eagles board might move.”
Simpson, who’s in his 11th season as coach and contracted until the end of 2025, had the backing of club bosses last year amid West Coast’s horror 18th-placed finish.
It comes as the 16th-placed Eagles prepare to face Melbourne – one of three clubs they’ve defeated in 2024 and had their last win against in Round 10 at Optus Stadium – at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Dimma goes BANG with ALL-TIME statement! | 07:56
Edmund said the 2018 premiership coach “won’t be quitting” and that the Eagles would need to make the call to part ways.
“He didn’t deny the player unrest report yesterday which was telling as he said it happens all the time with people not getting games and some not playing on next year,” Edmund added.
“And he said that he won’t be checking everyone’s phones so he was typically laid back in front of the media on Friday.”
Asked by media on Friday if he felt he had the support of the players, Simpson said: “Yeah, I am.
“Despite whatever’s in the paper today, like I said, we’ve got 15-20 players that don’t get a game every week, we’ve probably got 10 players who will be off the list at the end of the year, so there’s always people disgruntled — it’s just part of the job.
“Can’t apologise for trying to get better, but I think I’ve still got the players.”