Nathan Buckley hits back at report over Adam Simpson future remarks

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has rubbished a report for misconstruing his remarks regarding an under fire coach.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 06: Adam Simpson, Senior Coach of the Eagles looks on during the 2023 AFL Round 08 match between the Richmond Tigers and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 6, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood great Nathan Buckley has hit back at a report over remarks he made with regards to the West Coast Eagles’ coach Adam Simpson.

The Eagles were humiliated on Sunday against the then 18th placed Hawthorn side in what was billed as the Harley Reid Cup, in honour of the youngster tipped to go number one in the draft.

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The shots came in thick and fast after the defeat as the noise surrounding coach Simpson’s tenure grew even louder.

Eagles great Glen Jakovich called for Simpson to be removed immediately following the ugly 116-point loss.

“Definitely, he has to go – he can’t continue,” Jakovich on 6PR radio.

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.”

But it was one report that drew the ire of Buckley for misconstruing the conversation he had with Kane Cornes on SEN about Simpson.

Things are ugly for the Eagles. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The former Collingwood coach clarified that his comments were more centred around Simpson being the one to ultimately decide the fit was no longer right.

“He’s got one of the longer contracts in the caper at the moment … he did say we’ve made this decision together, that I’m here to go through the dip and get the list right, but my question is at what stage is trust lost irrevocably?” Buckley told SEN.

“Not just in the senior coach but in leadership in general, in the direction the club is going in and potentially the only way you can stop that is to change the personnel.

“Not because they’re not capable, but just because of the circumstances around it, there’s just too much mud.

“I reckon Simmo has so much to offer. My question is – is he in the right place to offer that?”

But he hit back on Twitter as he quote tweeted a report from The West Australian and wrote: “Not what was said at all.‍️

“I suggested that there may be a point when Simmo chooses to step away from the job because he thinks it best for the club, for himself and his family.

“I say this with absolutely no knowledge of the internal decision making and discussions at the club.”

Not what was said at all 🤦‍♂️

I suggested that there may be a point when Simmo chooses to step away from the job because he thinks it best for the club, for himself and his family.

I say this with absolutely no knowledge of the internal decision making and discussions at the club https://t.co/JfPZlsPkCQ

— Nathan Buckley (@ncb_cfc) May 22, 2023

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.

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.

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.