‘More of this please’: Footy fans froth over ex-AFL coach’s ‘brilliant’ analysis

Footy fans have been blown away by an AFL commentator after a sensational move that suggests his coaching career isn’t over just yet.

Adam Simpson’s hopes of getting another AFL coaching job are well and truly alive, with the former West Coast mentor blowing footy fans away with his analysis in the media.

Simpson led West Coast to the 2018 premiership but was sacked mid-season last year as the Eagles endured a horrid run of results and struggled to get their rebuild off the ground.

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The premiership coach was replaced by Andrew McQualter at the Eagles and Simpson is now working in the media with Fox Footy, appearing on AFL 360 alongside former Sydney Swans coach John Longmire.

Simpson’s footy IQ was on display on Wednesday night as he gave a breakdown of Hawthorn’s team defence, which has helped the Hawks start the season 3-0.

“There’s some sides that like one-on-one, back shoulder, press the game (defence),” Simpson explained on AFL 360 in analysis you can watch in the video above.

“Then there’s sides that like to congest the game with a bit of controlling space and free up a spare (player) down the line.”

Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson blew fans away. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Simpson highlighted a forward 50 stoppage for Hawthorn in their win over Carlton last weekend where the Hawks game plan worked to perfection.

“You always get a spare behind the play,” Simpson said.

“You get a winger back or you’re dropping off a high half forward. This particular game, the Carlton forwards were way too high (up the ground). They rarely re-engage the game.

“You’ll see there’s two spares behind the game and as this plays out, Hawthorn go, ‘Well we don’t like two spares, (Tom) Barrass you need to push up and we’ll free up (Josh) Battle’.

“The ball comes out quickly by hand, (Jesse) Motlop sees that and thinks ‘Gee, I can’t kick it (downfield), I’ve got to continue the chain. It forces a handball and that’s the trigger to press, which Barrass does. That’s really good.”

In another example, Simpson went onto explain how leaving Josh Weddle as a spare man behind the ball allowed Hawthorn to play a team defence.

The Hawks forced Carlton to turnover the ball before switching the play onto the other side of the MCG in a textbook example of turning defence into attack.

“This is team defence,” Simpson said.

“You’ve cut off all angles, forced the down the line play, Weddle’s disengaged (the spare man).

“So if this is a quick kick (inside 50) they’ve got an outnumber defensively. Now we’ve got two vs one, where Karl Amon goes, ‘I can anticipate turnover because I’ve been told if we win this ball we’re switching’.

“That’s where you turn defence into offence with your extra. That doesn’t just happen. You’ve got to train that with your fundamentals and everyone’s got to be on the same page.”

Adam Simpson breaks down Hawthorn's team defence. Photo: Fox Footy.

Footy fans were blown away by Simpson’s analysis, praising his addition to the Fox Footy team. Many said it was proof the 49-year-old is a major contender to become an AFL coach again.

The clip of Simpson’s analysis has racked up nearly 200,000 view on X and had many viewers calling for more of the same.

Broadcaster Daniel Garb wrote in reaction to the clip on X: “This is what sports fans (not just footy) want more of. Don’t underestimate the intelligence and tactical interest of the fan. Brilliant.”

Port Adelaide great Warren Tredrea said: “The more broadcasters can take fans inside the coaches box the better. #lovethis.”

Journalist Chris De Silva said: “Adam Simpson is by far my favourite ex-player in the media at the moment. Every time I watch a clip of his I walk away more educated about the game. That’s exactly how it should be.”

Adam Simpson was sacked by West Coast last year. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

His analysis was second to none. Photo: Fox Footy.

One fan commented: “Three weeks into the season and Simmo is already head and shoulders above any other analyst I’ve seen in footy media. Fantastic breakdown of the Hawks defensive structure. More of this please.”

A second said: “Give me multiple hours of this sort of analysis each week and I’ll be happy.”

A third said: “Of all the shows to pick from, having one with past coaches purely running through vision would be elite. Would love to see Simmo and Horse (Longmire) pick apart tactics for an hour straight.”

Longmire, Nathan Buckley, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, Geelong coach Chris Scott have been mentioned as potential candidates to coach the Tasmania Devils, the AFL’s 19th team that will enter the competition in 2028.

If Simpson’s keeps his sharp footy analysis firing, he is very much among the top contenders for the next vacant AFL coaching job.

Originally published as ‘More of this please’: Footy fans froth over ex-AFL coach’s ‘brilliant’ analysis