Adam Simpson was ‘blown away’ by West Coast’s stunning Grand Final comeback victory
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson said he never stopped believing the Eagles were in the contest, despite conceding the first five goals in a horror opening to Saturday’s extraordinary premiership triumph.
West Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from West Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson said he never stopped believing the Eagles were in the contest, despite conceding the first five goals in a horror opening to Saturday’s extraordinary premiership triumph.
The Eagles came from 29 points down late in the first quarter to complete one of the greatest Grand Final comebacks in history with a five-point win over Collingwood.
“Their pressure was elite. That’s what they’re known for and their tackles and their pressure around the ball and every mistake we had to pay for,” Simpson said.
RIVAL: BUCKLEY “NUMB”, EDDIE’S EAGLE PRAISE
HOW TO BUY THE MARK KNIGHT 2018 PREMIERSHIP POSTER
REPORT: FINE LINE BETWEEN PLEASURE AND PAIN
“But the numbers I think at quarter-time weren’t horrendous. It wasn’t like the midfield needed fixing, or the forwards or the backs, it just felt like just keep persisting.
“I think we did a couple of minor things. Our players have been pretty resilient in that space. And the less and less we use our runners, the more our players seem to step up.
“Probably after the 20-minute mark (of the first quarter), I felt like it was a pretty special performance.”
Simpson said he was glad for forward Jack Darling that his simple dropped mark in the goal square in the dying stages did not cost West Coast the premiership, after midfielder Dom Sheed had slotted a set shot from an acute angle to put the Eagles in front in the final two minutes.
“I was thinking a little bit when JD dropped that mark in the goal square, I was just hoping for him it wasn’t going to hurt us,” he said.
An overwhelmed Simpson became the club’s third premiership coach after Mick Malthouse (1992 and 1994) and John Worsfold (2006).
BEST ON: WEST COAST, COLLINGWOOD PLAYER RATINGS
ROBBO: HEARTBREAK FOR PIES AS GUTSY EAGLES PREVAIL
“I don’t know what to feel. I don’t know what’s going on. Honestly, I’m blown away,” he said.
“I felt we had something going at the end of last year in the final. I don’t know what to do. I don’t plan for what if we win the Grand Final.
“It’s always been about the players and what they need to do to get right and now I’ve just got this massive honour that I represent this club and we can’t wait to get home because I think there’s going to be a pretty big parade coming for us.
“We haven’t been the fairytale this year. We haven’t been the destiny of a side. It’s always been about someone else.
“And you guys (the Victorian media), rightly so, it’s Melbourne teams that have been about with all that. And we’ve just been sliding through – pretty big at home I must admit - it hasn’t been about us until probably the last two minutes of the game.”
Simpson praised departing assistant coach Sam Mitchell, who was part of a flag in his only year in the coaching box, and said he felt for the players who had missed out including retired star Matt Priddis.
“Sam Mitchell’s been sensational for us. We’re really sad to lose him, because he’s been great for these guys and our mids once again stood up really well,” he said.
“My heart goes out to (Priddis) as well. He was just one year off being a part of this. But what it did do is his sacrifice gave us opportunity for Jack Redden, for Dom Sheed, for Elliot Yeo. And these guys I think have gone under the radar for a lot of the year. They stand up when it counts.
“You can only imagine how Eric Mackenzie, Brad Sheppard, Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff are feeling. Gaffy would be a bit different, because it was self-inflicted and he needs to own that.
“But from the minute that happened, we’ve obviously recognised he did the wrong thing and we’re trying to give him as much support as we can. And that won’t change. No matter what he does, he’s one of us.”
Originally published as Adam Simpson was ‘blown away’ by West Coast’s stunning Grand Final comeback victory
Trading places? How the biggest AFL deals will get done
Almost every AFL club is poised to get busy this trade period. See who your club is looking at, who they should be chasing and how they will get their deals done in our ultimate guide.
Lucky 13? How Suns can unlock Trade Period — again
Gold Coast holds the keys to another AFL Trade Period as the opening day of official dealing approaches, with its first-round pick set to shape the fates of several clubs — and key players.