Coach Adam Simpson Megathread est. 2017 - Staying for 2024, Lyon’s Cryin’

[Monocle]

I don’t think it’s going to appease many people although I’m not sure what would other than Nisbett and/or Simpson being sacrificed to the football gods


West Coast chairman Paul Fitzpatrick has backed coach Adam Simpson to guide the club’s rebuild and chief executive Trevor Nisbett to remain in place in “the medium term” in the wake of the club’s disastrous 116-point loss to Hawthorn in Launceston.
But he indicated a shift in approach to the club’s senior players with an emphasis on “planning for the worst” in gauging their ability to return from injuries and make an ongoing impact.

Fitzpatrick accepted criticism of the club’s poor performance against Hawthorn but said the youth and compromised preparation of the team had to be factored into the result.

“There is a lot of disappointment and that is to be expected when you get beaten like that,” Fitzpatrick told CODE Sports. “There probably wasn’t the effort and energy we expected from the group. But, having said that, it was a very young group that went out there yesterday and I think that has to be expected when a group is that young.”

The coach

Simpson has now won five of his last 41 games in charge at West Coast and his team has not been closer than 40 points to a rival since their round two win over GWS in the club’s only win of the season.

Fitzpatrick said he retained “full confidence” in Simpson, the club’s 2018 premiership coach.

“I do. This season and last season have been really difficult for various reasons and I think Adam has handled it very well,” Fitzpatrick said. “There is no doubt that it takes a toll. You wouldn’t be human if it didn’t. The constant examination in the media will take a toll.

“But the way he handles the players – his effort and enthusiasm – hasn’t waned. We know he is a good coach. He is going to be coaching a different squad to when he first came to the club with a greater emphasis on development.

“But I am sure he will be able to acquit himself well.”

The chief executive

Nisbett has been the CEO at West Coast since 1999 and, alongside Simpson, is the scalp the club’s most vocal critics are crying out for.

Fitzpatrick predicted Nisbett would remain in place for “the medium term”.

“I have got full confidence in Trevor to see us through the predicament we are in at the moment,” he said. “His experience in having dealt with these situations before is invaluable. I certainly expect him to be in place for the medium term.

“Having said that, we all know Trevor has done the job for a long time and the time will come when he will move on.”

When asked what the medium term meant in a football context, he added: “The medium term means he is certainly not leaving this year. I would expect he would see us through for a reasonable time yet. I just can’t be precise on these things. He is in place and I think he will be in place for a good time yet.”

The mid-season draft

The loss to the Hawks has prompted calls for the Eagles to change their draft strategy.

They had previously indicated they would take one pick, placing ACL injury victim Jai Culley on their long-term injury list to free up a list spot. They could take at least one more if they ruled Jamie Cripps (broken ankle) out for the season.

Fitzpatrick hinted there could be a change to West Coast’s mid-season draft strategy with the club taking multiple picks.

“We are certainly going to have a pick. I am sure it is under consideration whether we could get more than one pick, whether we could get two or three and ways in which that could be done,” Fitzpatrick said. “But that might be restricted by your ability to rule players out for the rest of the season.

“Having said that, I think all possibilities are being considered for the mid-season draft.”

The players

The club’s lengthy injury list includes veteran stars Shannon Hurn (35), Nic Naitanui (33), Luke Shuey (32), Jeremy McGovern (31), Cripps (31) and Elliot Yeo (29). Several of these players have extensive injury records in recent seasons.

Fitzpatrick said the Eagles would “start planning for the worst” when it came to assessing players, given the club’s wretched run of injuries over the past two seasons.

“In terms of the injury crisis we have had this year … it probably gives you evidence that, when you think of list management, we should start planning for the worst rather than having confidence that we will get players back from injury and they will be able to play for long periods of time,” he said.

“It will be on everybody in the football department and particularly in the recruiting and list management areas – they will be thinking about these things. The decisions will be made at the end of the year.”

The strategy

Fitzpatrick confirmed the club’s performance this year would be subject to a thorough review across all areas of the football department.

“I think all areas of a football department are constantly under scrutiny and especially when you have a win-loss ratio like we are having,” he said. “I don’t think you could say one area is under more scrutiny than the others. Everyone has to be under scrutiny.”

He was confident the Eagles’ historic on-field nadir would not significantly impact the club’s financial position.

“We do our financial projections every month and they are generally very conservative,” he said. “At the moment I don’t have any great concern that there is going to be a significant impact.”

The crowds

West Coast had a membership base in excess of 102,000 in 2022 and their members tend to sign up given the strong possibility of being locked out of the 60,000 capacity Optus Stadium.

But there are concerns that the numbers of fans attending games will dip in the wake of poor performance and a crowd of less than 40,000 at their recent home game against Gold Coast. Fitzpatrick said the relatively low attendance of 36,219 in round 9 was largely attributable to the drawing power of the Suns and the impact of Friday night scheduling.

In the wake of the dismal loss to Hawthorn, Fitzpatrick said he was uncertain what sort of crowd would attend the Eagles-Essendon game at Optus Stadium this Saturday.

“I would encourage everyone to get out there because it will be a really good Saturday evening,” he said. “Saturday afternoon and Saturday night are our best times.

“We get a lot of Sunday afternoon games which is not ideal for our country members.”

The critics

Fitzpatrick said the club was unmoved by external criticism and was confident that support still outweighed criticism.

“I am always appreciative of the fact that so many members come up to us and express their support,” he said. “It far outweighs the people that are critical.

“We had 40 members flying back on the plane from Tasmania with us and when we all got settled and sat on the plane they sang the club song and gave an enormous round of applause to the players. Support like that is just amazing.”

The commission

Technically, the WAFC owns West Coast but has historically given the club free rein in its operations. The current on field crisis has raised the question of how bad things would have to get before the “owners” were prepared to step in.

“I met with (WAFC chairman) Wayne Martin not that long ago. I keep in pretty much constant contact with Wayne about how things are going and the commission support is invaluable.

“They give very sage advice and they are very supportive,” Fitzpatrick said.

What a limp dick response for The Chairman.

Now the same " credits in the bank mantra" that was dominant at the Selection Table, also prevails at the Board Table.


Oh how I long for the old days when we had a Chairman like Cransberg who actually had a set of balls, to ensure that the Clubs governance was proactive and kept the Clubs Executive accountable, by being an on field results focus organisation.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Why do I keep seeing that Simpson is contracted until 2025.

An article in 2021 said he was contracted to the end of the 2024 season.

Simpson locked away at Eagles until 2024

West Coast fans don’t have to worry about coach Adam Simpson going anywhere after he revealed tonight he signed a two-year extension more than a year ago.

thewest.com.au

'With the Collingwood job becoming vacant after the resignation of Nathan Buckley and the future of Carlton coach David Teague being uncertain, Simpson put any chances of leaving the Eagles to bed by saying he was locked away until at least the end of 2024.'

Did someone after 2021 give him another season?

Because some reports say 2024, others say 2025 and unlike every other club in the league, ours didn’t feel the need to announce the coach’s contract so there’s no settled position.

 

[new breed]

Least we may look at 2-3 players in the MSD .....AND not relying on experienced players for high output in the future , means changes will happen.

 

[Jimbob]

Because some reports say 2024, others say 2025 and unlike every other club in the league, ours didn’t feel the need to announce the coach’s contract so there’s no settled position.

I would have thought that Adam himself saying 2024 would settle the debate and end it at that, unless somewhere the club signed him for an extra year during 2022 which if this is the case, the club is clearly misleading its members (and not the first time!).

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I would have thought that Adam himself saying 2024 would settle the debate and end it at that, unless somewhere the club signed him for an extra year during 2022 which if this is the case, the club is clearly misleading its members (and not the first time!).

He said “at least” 2024, he’s later said (or at least not corrected when it’s been said to him) 2025.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

Hardwick has resigned as Richmond coach due to burn out.

 

[UseR2006]

End of an era: Nisbett to depart Eagles CEO role next year

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett’s long-term tenure with the club will end after next season, sources have told The West Australian.

thewest.com.au

 

[Cursedsword02]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?

 

[Bender_]

Another 18 months.

 

[UseR2006]

The bit from that article that matters is..

"West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett’s long-term tenure with the club will end after the 2024 season, sources have told The West Australian.

It is understood the Eagles board will not renew Nisbett’s contract when it expires at the end of next year and is continuing to hunt for his successor."

Everything else was just a rehash.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

End of an era: Nisbett to depart Eagles CEO role next year

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett’s long-term tenure with the club will end after next season, sources have told The West Australian.

thewest.com.au

I’ll believe it when I see it.

 

[CursoryMercenary]

I hope the Hardwick decision gives Simpson a shove in the shame direction. flipping resign too Nisbett.

 

[Shuestar13]

Hmm, and if the ‘perfect successor’ is available now/earlier than the end of next year, then it may be bye bye to Trevor.

 

[Spod]

In before we have a slight uptick next year and they extend Nissy for another decade.

 

[Ochre]

Nisbett would quit sooner but he wants to go out after our next win

 

[Keys]

Hmm, and if the ‘perfect successor’ is available now/earlier than the end of next year, then it may be bye bye to Trevor.

My hope would be that they identify and appoint his successor at the end of this season so he can deputise for 12 months before taking over

Whilst he’s* waiting in the wings he can spend time casting an eye over the entire operation with a fresh set of eyes to identify potential improvements

*Or she if we choose a female CEO

 

[HoneyBadger35]

My hope would be that they identify and appoint his successor at the end of this season so he can deputise for 12 months before taking over

Whilst he’s* waiting in the wings he can spend time casting an eye over the entire operation with a fresh set of eyes to identify potential improvements

*Or she if we choose a female CEO

(Plz don’t ban me).

 

[Mop]

I think you're double counting there. If you pay the tax you don't have the softcap reduced the next year.

We would pay him out in one go - $2.125M to Simmo and we then cop the 50% tax of just over $1M.

Hawks copped this when they sacked Clarko, as he was owed $1M. They ended up negotiating with the AFL on the tax, as it was the first time any club had breached the cap. I never heard what the outcome was.

The tax over $500k is more then 50% though - it’s 200% for the the first year

 

[DanWCE]

Hard to imagine that information leaks from our club, but a set date being thrown around publicly now might force the club to confirm or deny it.

 

[Barrybran]

Hard to imagine that information leaks from our club, but a set date being thrown around publicly now might force the club to confirm or deny it.

Disgruntled board member trying to force his hand perhaps?

 

[Mop]

I've been googling because you seem so utterly sure that the fine for going over the cap comes out of next years soft cap, and I just can't find any evidence.

I've even looked through the AFL's rules document:

50.3
Consequence of Club Exceeding Football Department Expenditure Threshold Subject to anything contrary in the FDE Manual or any guidelines issued for a particular case by the Commission or General Counsel, if, in any Football Year, the Football Department Expenditure of any Club (as determined by the AFL) exceeds the Football Department Expenditure Threshold for that Football Year then:
(a) the Club shall pay the Levy to the AFL;
or (b) the AFL may deduct the Levy from any payment or payments that would otherwise may have been made by AFL to the Club, in accordance with the FDE Manual.

https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2023/03/01/b34247f1-8c79-46ae-b564-586716a46bfc/Amended-AFL-Rules-effective-28-February-2023.pdf?_ga=2.67304664.819120140.1684116344-1304821802.1558831719

Why are you so sure of this? Where's it coming from? There must be something but I can't find it.

A very fair question, I’ll need to find the document I’m basing my steadfast belief on. It’s so vague here I may even contact the AFL directly trying to get firm clarity. Or rope a friendly journalist into doing so.

Maybe Mitch Woodcock will be at training tomorrow.

I’ll get back to you when I find it.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

Disgruntled board member trying to force his hand perhaps?

Sounds to me like the Board is split on Nisbett. Some think he should go and some think he should stay. And this was a compromise option. He stays but only for a limited and defined period.

They might, and probably will, come out and say it was all planned well before now and this has nothing to do with the weekend's loss. But i doubt that. The fact that this leaks out now after our worst ever loss makes it likely that the decision was made just now and that Nisbett doesn't want to go but the Board is split and this is the middle of the road option they have agreed on.

I definately do not believe that Nisbett came to the Board himself and said "Guys, i have had enough and want to set it in stone now that i am going at the end of next year".

 

[Biggie]

Great ****ing news

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Sounds to me like the Board is split on Nisbett. Some think he should go and some think he should stay. And this was a compromise option. He stays but only for a limited and defined period.

Sorry, what are you basing this massive leap of logic on?

 

[DanWCE]

Disgruntled board member trying to force his hand perhaps?

Possibly. Feels a lot like The Worst connecting the dots after Paul Fitzpatrick spoke to Code and not them. Whenever someone from the club speaks on radio, press conference or similar, The Worst takes the content from that conversation and turns it into an article.