'Awkward': Axed Eagles coach thanks fans before bounce

West Coast has farewelled axed coach Adam Simpson during the coin toss of its match against Brisbane on Sunday at Optus Stadium.

Simpson was axed, effective immediately, on Tuesday, six games before the end of the 2024 season.

It came after he lost 56 of his last 65 games as coach, with the club pulling the trigger on the premiership coach to explore its next generation.

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The 2018 premiership coach then went on to turn down an opportunity from Eagles CEO Don Pyke, to coach one final game against the Lions in round 18.

“We’ve requested Adam to consider coaching the side for one final time this weekend. We’d love Adam to coach one more time,” Pyke said at Simpson’s final press conference on Tuesday.

“We haven’t made that call just yet if I was going to coach this week,” Simpson quipped.

“We’d like you to,” Pyke responded.

Simpson then went on to turn down the offer but did agree to toss the coin before the bounce, to which he received a standing ovation and a huge cheer from the Eagles faithful.

The former coach also spoke briefly before he tossed the coin.

“[This is a] little awkward,” Simpson began.

“Really quickly, just on behalf of the players, coaches and footy club, we’d just like to thank you guys for your support over the last 11 years. It’s just been an amazing run.

“We’ve had a lot of success and how good was ’18 (2018 premiership)?”

The crowd continued their cheers, with Simpson moving to thank the fans for their unwavering support, despite the pain the last year has brought the club.

“We’ve also had some hard times as well. I can’t thank you guys enough and show enough appreciation for the last 12 months, how you stuck by the boys, you stuck by me and you stuck by the club,” he said.

“I’ll be part of you guys now, I’ll be up in the stands somewhere. Just need to get a couple of tickets from someone.

“I’ll be watching on. I can’t wait to see these boys play and the next part of the journey of this football club.

“Thanks for everything. Let’s get on with it. Go Eagles.”

Simpson went to to walk around the ground, thanking the crowd, as the cheers continued.

There were also multiple signs showing gratitude to Simpson, including ones that simply donned the words “thank you”.

The Eagles went on to lose the toss.