West Coast coach Adam Simpson could be under significant pressure to keep his job after Sunday’s 112-58 loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
As reported by SEN’s Sam Edmund on Saturday, Simpson is under the pump due to player unrest, adding that there was a “real chance” he could be sacked if the club suffered a big loss.
WHY AN MCG DRUBBING ON SUNDAY COULD SPELL THE END FOR ADAM SIMPSON AT THE EAGLES.
With a heavy defeat now confirmed, Simpson’s future will be a big topic throughout the week with Edmund also suggesting in his report that there was no way the coach would leave on his own accord.
As the Demons pulled away in the fourth term, AFL Nation commentator Kane Cornes felt that the Eagles were giving up on their coach as the margin reached a game-high 61 points.
“West Coast it appears have given up on the game, given up on their coach and given up on their season,” Cornes said during the AFL Nation commentary call.
“We couldn’t be any stronger that the Eagles have given up on their coach here this afternoon at the MCG.
“This will be a big story here unfolding during the week.”
As well as the scoreline being in Melbourne’s favour, they also dominated the disposal count 356-280 and mark count 131-82.
Surprisingly, the Eagles had as many inside 50s as the Demons (49-49) but had just 18 scoring shots (8.10 – 58) to Melbourne’s 27 (17.10 – 112).
The dominant players for the Demons included Jacob Van Rooyen (four goals), Caleb Windsor (one goal, 25 disposals) and Trent Rivers (29 disposals).
The Eagles had co-captain Oscar Allen step up with four goals, while Elliott Yeo had 21 touches and seven tackles. No. 1 pick Harley Reid had 16 disposals in his first game on the MCG.
The loss was West Coast’s sixth in a row and their fifth consecutive at the MCG.
Simpson is contracted until the end of the 2025 season. The Eagles next face the Lions at Optus Stadium next Sunday.