AFL 2024: Friends hope Adam Simpson will return to coaching

Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell have shown their support for West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson after his sacking.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says he has no concerns over Adam Simpson’s future in the AFL despite “enormous amounts of pressure” he was under as West Coast coach.

Mitchell, who was coached by Simpson at the Eagles before he began his own coaching career under him, said he expected his former mentor to return to the game in time.

He said he was disappointed by elements of the media pressure on Simpson late in his tenure but said “it’s always someone’s turn”.

“We’ve been close for a long time so I feel for (Simpson), but he’s a great person and none of these things change,” Mitchell said on Thursday.

“I’m not concerned for his future. He’s got a great family … he’s going to come through this without too many scratches, I’d imagine.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell (right) was lured west by Adam Simpson (left) to finish his playing career and begin life as an assistant coach at the Eagles. Picture: Megan Powell

“Right now everyone’s thinking about this little period, but he’ll be remembered as a premiership player and premiership coach.

“He’s got one of the great resumes, and you don’t want to lose the best people around … he’ll come back to footy when the time’s right for him.”

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, also a close friend of Simpson after their four years together at Hawthorn, said his dismissal on Tuesday showed “we all play at a tough caper”.

“When you first remove yourself or get removed (from coaching), the best thing is just to let the dust settle for a little while,” he said.

“You’re just in so much overdrive, especially in-season, so (Simpson), Nicky (his wife) and the kids will just have a spell for a little while.

Alastair Clarkson says Simpson’s dismissal on Tuesday shows why senior coaching is ‘a tough caper’. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

“I’m not sure how long he’s going to last (out of the game), but he’ll get back involved in footy at some point in time. It’ll be a real asset for the game if he does continue to be involved.”

Clarkson played down the significance of a “candid chat” about his personal struggles that Charlie Comben this week credited with some of the Roos’ turnaround in form.

But he said the high-pressure environment of coaching meant he could show great empathy to players, especially at the beginning of their careers.

“I don’t think (the conversation) has got anything to do with me in terms of where our form line has been over the last little while,” he said.

“There’s a lot of pressure in the game, and these are just young men, particularly at our club, we’ve got the youngest list in the competition.

“We need to have empathy for the challenges they are going through, 18 to 22 years of age in particular is a hard path to navigate whether you’re playing AFL footy or not.”