Eagles great declares premiership coach can’t go on after horror loss

An Eagles great says Adam Simpson’s time is up on arguably the club’s darkest day after West Coast were belted by 116 points by 18th-placed Hawthorn.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Eagles head coach Adam Simpson looks on during the round eight AFL match between Richmond Tigers and West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 06, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Eagles great Glen Jakovich says Adam Simpson’s time is up as coach on arguably the club’s darkest day after West Coast were belted by 116 points by 18th-placed Hawthorn.

In what was billed as the Harley Reid Cup, in honour of the youngster tipped to go number one in the draft as 17th took on 18th in Tasmania, the Eagles simply didn’t fire a shot.

They managed just two points in the second half and were belted off the park by a rookie Hawks outfit.

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“Definitely, he has to go – he can’t continue,” Jakovich said of Simpson on 6PR radio in the aftermath of the loss.

Asked if he has to go immediately, Jakovich said: “Yep. Something has to happen – the club has to come out, defend that and talk to their supporters.

“Not every coach keeps their job. Unfortunately, yeah (his time is up). Something has to give – that cannot continue.

“We came today thinking a competitive game between the 17th and 18th side – 116-point loss? The fifth worst in the club’s history? Against Hawthorn who are just going? Sorry.”

Adam Simpson addresses his players during the massive loss to Hawthorn in Launceston, Australia. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Simpson was at a loss to explain the absolute drubbing – West Coast’s second 100-plus point belting in just 10 rounds this season.

“It’s extremely disappointing, not good enough, unacceptable,” he said in his press conference.

“Disappointing, not a lot to take out of that game at all.”

In 10 games this season, the Eagles have suffered four 40-point losses, two 60-point losses and two 100-point beltings in horrific stats for the proud club.

Just two players from their 2018 premiership side took to the field against the Hawks as injuries and illness continue to deny West Coast their best talent this season.

But it’s just deja vu for frustrated Eagles members and fans who endured the same brutal run last season where West Coast finished second last with two wins.

Chairman of @WestCoastEagles Paul Fitzpatrick or CEO Trevor Nisbett need to make a public statement Monday about Adam Simpson’s position.
It cannot be left to him to face the firing squad every time he pops his head up. Back his / club rebuild now or ….

— Tim Gossage 🤓 (@TimGossage) May 21, 2023

The West Coast Eagles scored 2 points in a half of football.

Oscar Allen's streak of scoring multiple goals is over.

Harry Edwards just had his 22nd consecutive loss. (Which I think is the record)

How good is footy.#AFL#AFLHawksEagles

— Dan Const (@dan_const) May 21, 2023

Somewhere in the Bendigo area, Harley Reid is busy googling ‘Things to do in Perth’#AFLHawksEagles

— Callum Chambers (@Kuytstanding) May 21, 2023

Hawthorn’s 116-point win is the second best in VFL/AFL history from a side sitting last on the ladder – behind only Collingwood’s 178-point effort against St Kilda back in 1979.

Fox Footy’s David King said he was at a loss to assess the Eagles’ coaching given the personnel out on the field.

“I think it’s impossible to assess these games with half your list that wouldn’t been playing if you had a remotely healthy balance in your list,” he said on First Crack.

“I don’t know how they are going to assess the coaching.

“They’ve got talent that can’t fight the fight.”

West Coast have won just three of their past 36 games – with an average losing margin of 49 points. Next up the Eagles host Essendon in Perth on Saturday night.

Originally published as Eagles great declares premiership coach can’t go on after horror loss