Coach Adam Simpson Megathread est. 2017 - Skip to 2024: Simpson coaching tenure officially ends

[Dark Sharks]

I'd rather fresh leadership guiding Reid in 2025 than Simpson sitting there like a pelican as the team continues it's potato 5Y run and Harley gets more and more frustrated in a losing culture.

Fresh coach, fresh energy, fresh list.

Sitting on our hands waiting for things to change and Simpsons imaginary game plan he's been touting for how long now to actually be sighted, let alone implemented is just a recipe for disaster. Hawks went more ruthless and it's quickly worked.


Gaff, Sheed, Darling, Simpson

 

[Truly Lazuli]

So if we sack Simmo at the end of the year who are the leading candidates to take his job? A highly rated assistant or an experienced coach? This is not something we could afford to get wrong. Only 4 months away to the end of the season so you'd think the options would be already on the radar.

 

[sharps24]

I'd rather fresh leadership guiding Reid in 2025 than Simpson sitting there like a pelican as the team continues it's potato 5Y run and Harley gets more and more frustrated in a losing culture.

Fresh coach, fresh energy, fresh list.

Sitting on our hands waiting for things to change and Simpsons imaginary game plan he's been touting for how long now to actually be sighted, let alone implemented is just a recipe for disaster. Hawks went more ruthless and it's quickly worked.


Gaff, Sheed, Darling, Simpson

It is pretty interesting that the 94 side have been at the club all week and Hardie is reporting that players are unhappy with selection integrity. I don't see Jackovich sitting there and letting that go unchallenged if it's off the mark. And I don't see him not challenging the rest of what Hardie said unless it's more or less how significant stakeholders close to Pyke are also feeling.

If the club don't think he's the man for the job for 2025 and beyond, then the only reason not to sack him this week on the back of that pretty strident media priming would be if we already know who we are replacing him with. In that scenario I'd imagine it's a done deal that Dean Cox is coming. Perhaps Simpson knows this and that's why he's backed Gaff and Sheed back in and gone rogue on the Hutchings selection.

If they are going to replace him but don't know who is coaching in 2025 I think it's a really dangerous play letting him coach out the year. Every chance we get on a roll somewhere and win 5 of the last 10 and knifing him becomes harder for players to stomach. You kind of want everyone on the same page, from a players perspective there will not be a better time to get rid of him than right now. If it's going to happen. That would be doubly so for Harley. Let the season play out and if the credits crew get on a small roll, and its pretty clear Harley gets the best mate treatment from Simmo so is probably one of the players who loves him, then it becomes a much harder sell and who knows if Harley wouldn't actually be pretty gutted by it.

 

[ghostbat12]

Ah, so knives are out already.

 

[Cuzz09]

So if we sack Simmo at the end of the year who are the leading candidates to take his job? A highly rated assistant or an experienced coach? This is not something we could afford to get wrong. Only 4 months away to the end of the season so you'd think the options would be already on the radar.

J. Schofield

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Dark Sharks]

So if we sack Simmo at the end of the year who are the leading candidates to take his job? A highly rated assistant or an experienced coach? This is not something we could afford to get wrong. Only 4 months away to the end of the season so you'd think the options would be already on the radar.

J.Brennan

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Bender_]

Amateur hour. Am I right?

 

[bzparkes]

So if we sack Simmo at the end of the year who are the leading candidates to take his job? A highly rated assistant or an experienced coach? This is not something we could afford to get wrong. Only 4 months away to the end of the season so you'd think the options would be already on the radar.

Toddy Nesbitt.

 

[Doashuey]

The 3 years of Harley factor is a massive issue with regard to Simpson, perhaps the issue. We probably need to have a really good 2025 to keep Him. We probably also need to sign Harley on for his next multi year deal before the end of 2025. I think we probably need to unexpectedly play finals next year to do that. Don Pyke should be wholly focussed on facilitating this and urgently making whatever moves necessary to give us the best chance of succeeding in that goal. We probably can't do that without stability and a consistent game plan though, which is good for Simpson.

We have the players and the home ground advantage needed to do this. A drop off is coming after that for maybe 1-2 years as we lose the last of the best of our 2018 side. The right way to look at 2025/2026 is like it's going to be 2011/12. Mix of very good new and very good old players, and unexpected finals tilts that's fall short. Sort of a false dawn that lays the foundation for the next genuine window.

If we sack Simpson at the end of this year a new coach and new game plan and fresh start for all the players might still spark this, but more likely it leads to a step backwards as the best 22 shuffles around to fit a new coach and new system. Maybe that works ok and sets us up for a big 2026 and we sign Harley late that year. Alternatively 2025 is a disaster and 2026 is merely ok and the lure of going home is too strong. What this actually means in terms of our re-build is not good, as we lose Harley the same year we lose our other champions and the compensation is likely more 18 year olds. No thanks.

With this in mind, the two scenarios around coaching would be:

Back Simmo in to sort his new game plan out in the back of 2024. There is a hell of a lot to figure out about this team when we finally get a fit side on the park after the bye:

• Figuring out what to do up forward with regard to Oscar and Waterman, and who the hell supports them next year out of Darling, Maric, Hutchinson, Williams, Williams.
• Figuring out if Flynn/Williams is what it's cracked up to be, and if it is building some synergy with Yeo, Kelly, Reid while also rotating through the next rung.
• Deciding if we are going to just back in McGovern and Barrass every week until they retire, and figure out who out of Harry Edwards, Jamison, Rotham and Bazzo we want to complement them.
• Somehow getting games and experience into the fringe players who are looking to establish themselves as the best of our bottom 6.

Maybe Simmos game plan bears fruit, and we have a good run with injury in 2025. If this is the case then Simpsons best 22 is capable of 2011 level things. In which case, then actually Simpson needs to be extended another 2 years at the end of next season, not let go. Which means we are holding onto him until Yeo and Mc Govern have played their last games in 2026 [finals year] and we're best to part ways in 2027 when we miss finals. Harley on this timeline has tasted some success as an Eagle and has already signed a mega deal and is captain. Simpson leaves the club a hero.

If we are not looking to do this, then honestly just let him go in the bye. 2025 is too important to stuff up, you either think he can tune the side up in the back half of the season and have them firing next year, or let Schofield take over and start the hunt for a new coach really early. Maybe Schofield is the next coach and giving him the back half of the year is a massive leg up compared to doing it over summer. Or maybe the next coach is someone working at another club who we want thinking about this job sooner rather than later. People poo poo sacking the coach mid season, but starting the process as the players are clearing out their lockers for the summer is far worse in my view.

Edit: Reminder, we finished 3rd in 2007. 2008,9 suck and wooden spoon in 2010. Top 4 2011.Were better in 2012 but finished 5th. Then 2 years out of finals as the list shed the last of the 2006 side, and into a GF in 2015 where inexperience cost us. As I remember it we then won the next 3 flags before a sad decline, mostly due to most of the best 22 just taking 3-4 years off injured. We still have half of that 2018 side playing in our best 22 today, and because of injuries fared far better in recent drafts than we otherwise would have. This side should expect a crazy rise up the ladder. Add Allen, Flynn and Hewitt to this side and it would have happened this year in my view.

For the 99% of you who will disagree with all of this, the right move is letting Simmo go this morning.

TL: DR Sack Simmo now!

 

[Schofields_Lanyard]

Toddy Nesbitt.

I can confirm that all the 1994 premiership team and everyone else at the club thinks that Brad Hardie is a fool.

 

[Tugga27]

So I saw the post on twitter from 6pr earlier today about Hardie calling for Simmo's head and just had a chuckle, he's been banging that drum for years...

Anyway, just finally sat down to listen to it and he throws some strong accusations around from about the 6 minute mark. Apparent angst within the player group over the selection of Jack Hutchinson (doesn't say this flat out but insinuates that some players were frustrated by this) & also that Simmo made the call to include Hutchinson after a meeting in which two of the assistants weren't even present.

Brad Hardie.
LOL

 

[Smotie2]

It is pretty interesting that the 94 side have been at the club all week and Hardie is reporting that players are unhappy with selection integrity. I don't see Jackovich sitting there and letting that go unchallenged if it's off the mark. And I don't see him not challenging the rest of what Hardie said unless it's more or less how significant stakeholders close to Pyke are also feeling.

If the club don't think he's the man for the job for 2025 and beyond, then the only reason not to sack him this week on the back of that pretty strident media priming would be if we already know who we are replacing him with. In that scenario I'd imagine it's a done deal that Dean Cox is coming. Perhaps Simpson knows this and that's why he's backed Gaff and Sheed back in and gone rogue on the Hutchings selection.

If they are going to replace him but don't know who is coaching in 2025 I think it's a really dangerous play letting him coach out the year. Every chance we get on a roll somewhere and win 5 of the last 10 and knifing him becomes harder for players to stomach. You kind of want everyone on the same page, from a players perspective there will not be a better time to get rid of him than right now. If it's going to happen. That would be doubly so for Harley. Let the season play out and if the credits crew get on a small roll, and its pretty clear Harley gets the best mate treatment from Simmo so is probably one of the players who loves him, then it becomes a much harder sell and who knows if Harley wouldn't actually be pretty gutted by it.

Looking at Simmos body language and comments to me he's already been told this is his last year. He's just doing 1 last hurrahe for the year with the boys.

Can't see him continuing at all tbh. The only reason as dark sharks has said that he is still here is a financial one and possibly to let pyke settle in before the change. Stability in leadership is important.

We can afford to pay out and cop the soft cap fine for 1 year.

 

[ThePuma #9]

Looking at Simmos body language and comments to me he's already been told this is his last year. He's just doing 1 last hurrahe for the year with the boys.

Can't see him continuing at all tbh. The only reason as dark sharks has said that he is still here is a financial one and possibly to let pyke settle in before the change. Stability in leadership is important.

We can afford to pay out and cop the soft cap fine for 1 year.

Yep, looks like Simmo has been told it's done and dusted. Players can't stand him.

 

[FKASC]

this is such an lazy, arrogant take and probably part of the reason the eagles are in the mess they are in.

you also sound like a campaigner saying that shit in public.

Piss poor take and well short of your usual effort

 

[greatwhiteshark]

No coach in history has survived this record at pretty much any level in any sport.

Now I like Adam, he seems to be a good bloke, good family man etc. he has also many years ago now been a good coach.

But I just don’t get the pull by so many that we MUST keep him, it’s imperative to the rebuild to keep him.

Is it simply that you think he is a good bloke? We have to better as a club, no friends just business. In my opinion.

Coaches are not members of your family, they are just an employee that gets massive coin to do a job. If they don’t do it then they need to be removed.

 

[Astro7]

Dear Coach.....

 

[VicBased]

No coach in history has survived this record at pretty much any level in any sport.

Now I like Adam, he seems to be a good bloke, good family man etc. he has also many years ago now been a good coach.

But I just don’t get the pull by so many that we MUST keep him, it’s imperative to the rebuild to keep him.

Is it simply that you think he is a good bloke? We have to better as a club, no friends just business. In my opinion.

Coaches are not members of your family, they are just an employee that gets massive coin to do a job. If they don’t do it then they need to be removed.

I look at the three wins this year which were impressive.
When the game plan works, it works well but we just can't pull it off consistently yet.
That for mine, has me seeing out this year with Simmo definitely.
If the team stays injury free, or suspension free then another few wins might be in the offering.
The problem though will be us going lower in the draft and not being able to get another elite midfielder.
Problems, problems, problems.

 

[Jumpoff Joey]

That’s all good and well but in my mind the rebuild doesn’t really start until we have a new coach. All we are currently doing is giving every new player at this club an old and tired message.
The rebuild starts with a new coach.

I disagree, the rebuild started when we headed to the draft. The new coach will be the next step in that rebuild.

Although, I do have to question the fact that Gaff/Sheed and these types get a game. It's a double-edged sword. Drop them for youth, but the youth haven't been good enough to replace them or keep them playing until someone demands to take their place.

I really want to see Burgiel, Hall and Trew knocking down the door to get in the side. They have just been inconsistent and at the same time, the senior guys who should be shown the door are just doing enough.

 

[sharps24]

TL: DR Sack Simmo now!

I mean yeah but if you have all day, Simmo coaches till 2027! Glass is still half full for me.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

No coach in history has survived this record at pretty much any level in any sport.

Now I like Adam, he seems to be a good bloke, good family man etc. he has also many years ago now been a good coach.

But I just don’t get the pull by so many that we MUST keep him, it’s imperative to the rebuild to keep him.

Is it simply that you think he is a good bloke? We have to better as a club, no friends just business. In my opinion.

Coaches are not members of your family, they are just an employee that gets massive coin to do a job. If they don’t do it then they need to be removed.

Yes it’s a business. And sacking a bloke with 18 months left on his contract “on massive coin” and bringing in someone else, and paying them a sizeable amount too, to take on our shitshow of a list and in all likelihood turn out similar results, simply isn’t a sensible business decision.

 

[Smotie2]

Yep, looks like Simmo has been told it's done and dusted. Players can't stand him.

View attachment 2015879

Yep I can play that game too. Looks done and dusted in this random internet photo too

And I never said the players couldn't stand him ffs. Stop your bullshit straw man comments for internet likes.

 

[Smotie2]

Yes it’s a business. And sacking a bloke with 18 months left on his contract “on massive coin” and bringing in someone else, and paying them a sizeable amount too, to take on our shitshow of a list and in all likelihood turn out similar results, simply isn’t a sensible business decision.

It wasn't a sensible decision 6 or 12 months ago given the massive changes also going on at the club as well.

It is a sensible FOOTBALL decision now and the reduced hit it will be financially makes it more viable.

We can't keep going on with the results we are getting and need to move on more than ever before.

Simpson had this year with a reasonable injury list to compete and prove himself.
He hasn't.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

It wasn't a sensible decision 6 or 12 months ago given the massive changes also going on at the club as well.

It is a sensible FOOTBALL decision now and the reduced hit it will be financially makes it more viable.

We can't keep going on with the results we are getting and need to move on more than ever before.

Simpson had this year with a reasonable injury list to compete and prove himself.
He hasn't.

How many wins did you think we’d have at this point of the season? Be honest.

 

[Doashuey]

No coach in history has survived this record at pretty much any level in any sport.

? Put up the numbers.
His record has taken a battering the past couple of years but still stands up against most current coaches. I doubt there would be many coaches in the AFL that would have delivered many more wins in 22 and 23 with our list and injury issues.
I mean he has made 2 and won a GF, something Hinkley hasn't managed in his 11-12 years at Port.
For the record, I'm ambivilant about should he stay or should he go, I just don't think the numbers back up your assertion here.

 

[Smotie2]

How many wins did you think we’d have at this point of the season? Be honest.

In all honesty I expected us to compete more with a near full list which we have had apart from a Saturday.
Given the personnel in the team I expected us to have about 5 wins. I would've thought with the amount of experienced players and home ground advantage coming I to play we would win about 7 or 8 games for the year.

I didnt expect us to lose to saints and also to north especially.

McGovern
Duggan
Cole
Sheed
Hunt
Barrass
Yeo
Cripps
Ryan
Darling

All premiership players and experienced.

Kelly
Gaff
Witherden
Waterman
Petrucelli
Williams

All Experienced players

That's 14 "quality" players which is enough to have a decent team to mix the youth into.
Granted it's not enough to finish in the 8 and we rely heavily on them but we have had a hail Mary in ginbey and reid and waterman playing out of their skins to get wins and inspire the team.

Why?

We had a purple patch and beat Melbourne and Richmond and the dockers which were good wins.

Our away from is averaging 10 goal losses which is deplorable for that many experienced players in the side. So.eti.es we just haven't even shown up and competed at all like Adelaide game.

Our home form better but the last 2 losses have shown there is something seriously wrong. After losing to the saints. Was expecting a better attitude against North but it took 3 quarters for them to show up.

Simpson saying in His press conference he asked the players why they didn't play like that from the start is just deplorable.

If Simpson doesn't know how is the team expected to get any direction from him on how to fix it?

He just doesn't seem to know what he is doing and how to fix this and if there is any truth to the players being disgruntled about the selection of Hutchinson it seems to me to be another hail Mary he was relying on to inspire the team and get a win.

The wheel has turned.

It's time to move on