One of West Coast’s most famous names has torn strips off Adam Simpson after revealing the embattled Eagles coach has missed the last two weeks of pre-season training.
Although unconfirmed by the club, Sumich says Simpson is in New York on leave, both for personal reasons and a “fact finding” mission with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.
Simpson last spoke to the media on December 6, stating:
“You’ve always got a fully charged battery this time of year, so I’m really excited about what we can do and we’ll grow together.”
Sumich, who played in two premierships for West Coast and made over 150 appearances for the club, says it’s simply not acceptable.
“It is not only expected of a senior coach to manage an entire football department and training program, but it is an extremely poor image for Simpson and a West Coast club in the biggest on-field playing crisis in its 37-year history,” he wrote in a column for The West Australian.
“Personal leave or any degree of professional development still cannot be justified while critical development training is in full swing.
“Simpson should have been in full control of training and player management until Wednesday’s final session and leave officially commences on Thursday.
“He retained his job with apparent views from some Eagles directors that with a young and emerging squad, refreshed strength and conditioning and medical strategies that West Coast can improve markedly with a fitter and healthier squad for 2024.”
Sumich also stated that Simpson had missed some end-of-season player reviews following a disastrous three-win campaign for West Coast.
“Simpson instead holidayed at his Margaret River retreat in the immediate aftermath of his controversial survival, although he did apologise to players ahead of the fairest-and-best awards presentation later into that week,” he added.
“That did not go down well at the time with the player group.
“Many players were puzzled why the coach had not conducted end-of-season evaluations and disclosed ambitious plans for revival after such a horrible past two seasons.
“So, it’s probably not surprising to board members and Eagles staff close to Simpson that he headed to the sanctity of a family holiday to the United States this month while his players and staff concluded training ahead of the annual Christmas break.”
Simpson remains contracted until 2025 despite a dismal 24-month period where the Eagles have won just seven of their last 54 games.
Despite a mountain of pressure, the Eagles board reannounced their faith in Simpson prior to Round 24. A club statement at the time said it was a unanimous decision, while Sumich instead says
“he survived the chop in late August by a narrow vote among a divided West Coast board of directors”.
Eddie McGuire told Footy Classified earlier this year the Eagles wanted Simpson to take an extended break over the summer with his family to relieve stress.
He has coached West Coast since 2013.
It’s a report that was both contradicted and confirmed by the club, with the understanding he would at least be encouraged to take leave.
