West Coast have been moving backwards for far too long. It’s time for a change

It’s a matter of when, not if, and as the sharks continue to circle Adam Simpson one thing is clear – the embattled coach won’t and can’t see out his contract until the end of 2025.

It’s said if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards and West Coast has been moving backwards for far too long.

The Eagles faced another loss over the weekend.Credit: Getty Images

Following a week of heavy scrutiny after the Hawthorn loss, the Eagles playing group said they needed to “own” the performance.

Leaders publicly backed Simpson before reports surfaced of player unrest – one the coach didn’t deny, rather saying it was “not uncommon” in club land.

Entering yesterday’s match with Melbourne, there was a need to be fierce at the contest and opponent, bring intent and above all be competitive. The opposite was dished up for a second straight week.

At quarter time, with Melbourne up by 37 points, the result was known.

The Demons sliced their way through the Eagles in the opening turn, as West Coast allowed far too much time and space, failed the stick tackles and made poor skills errors on the back of poor decisions.

It was irrelevant West Coast lost the second half by less than a goal. The initial 30 minutes was what everyone was watching.

Too much water has passed and change is needed. Simpson has been a success, with six straight September campaigns, 12 finals, two Grand Finals and the ultimate, a premiership in 2018. There’s only three of them at West Coast in their successful 38 years.

Simpson’s first seven years in charge all resulted in positive win-loss percentage returns. However, the cliff has come with the past four years, seeing a massive drop in on-field success.

West Coast lost seven of the final nine games in 2021 to miss finals and since the start of 2022, they’ve sung the song at only eight of a possible 61 games.

Simpson’s legacy is being tarnished. The coming weeks will see CEO Don Pyke in the spotlight.

Does he act or sit until season’s end before making a recommendation to the board to cut ties with Simpson?

It’s then a fascinating watch to see if the board, 12 months on after entrusting Simpson with the rebuild, will backflip on last year’s decision and rubber-stamp his departure.

Freo’s Josh Treacy takes down Tigers

Josh Treacy had no right being the decisive factor between the sides.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

In the wet, slippery conditions which greeted the Dockers and Tigers at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, Josh Treacy had no right being the decisive factor between the sides.

But the hulking key forward, full of confidence enjoying a breakout year, tore the Tigers to shreds and delivered a career best performance.

After watching Richmond kick the game’s first two goals, Treacy got to work wrestling aside opponents and wrestling back momentum.

His first quarter yielded three goals, seven touches and five marks en route to a career best five goal performance.

The 21-year-old entered the year with 29 goals to his name from 36 appearances.

This year alone, the key forward has booted 35 goals 10 behinds from 16 games, standing alongside dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow and Jesse Hogan as the only players to kick a major in every game.

But his value to Fremantle is far greater than goals. Treacy is fast becoming one of the best marks, both in a contest and hit-up on the lead, in the competition.

Helping this is his ability to be a one-take player in all conditions.

His attack on the ball and opponents helps create opportunities for his small forwards and is also taking pressure off Jye Amiss.

Treacy’s worth to Fremantle is growing by the week and so too his standing in the game.

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