West Coast board ‘unanimously’ agrees to keep Adam Simpson as coach, following tense speculation over his tenure

West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson will stay in his function, following a membership board assembly on Monday that “unanimously” agreed to maintain him on as senior coach.

Chairman Paul Fitzpatrick stated Simpson, who led the Eagles to a 2018 premiership victory, was the precise individual to enhance the staff’s kind.

“He has already steered us via the primary part of the rebuild,” Mr Fitzpatrick stated.

“We’re assured he can take us ahead and take us the place we aspire to be.”

The transfer comes after a season wherein West Coast suffered 5 defeats by greater than 100 factors — most not too long ago a 101-point loss to Fremantle throughout this month’s Western Derby.

Their final sport of 2023 noticed them end 45 factors behind the Adelaide Crows at residence on the weekend.

Mr Fitzpatrick thanked members and followers for his or her assist of the membership, particularly in being a part of the 47,000-strong crowd on the sport at Perth Stadium.

“Our season got here to an finish on Saturday evening and we completed on the foot of the premiership desk,” Mr Fitzpatrick continued.

“That doesn’t sit nicely with anybody on the membership and we’re all conscious that there’s a lot work to be achieved to return as a power within the competitors.”

Mr Fitzpatrick stated the staff was wanting to herald “some elite children”, because the staff holds the primary choice going into the draft.

“We’re additionally open to bringing in gamers via the commerce interval who match our wants and checklist profile,” he stated.

“Adam is central to our improvement plans to help the membership’s stand up the ladder.”

The West Coast chairman additionally acknowledged contributions of retiring gamers Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui over nearly 20 years.

“If we wanted a reminder that that is the beginning of a brand new period it got here via the post-match celebrations of those stars of our membership,” Mr Fitzpatrick stated.

“They’re legends in each sense.”