Top Naija News: Nigerian News, Breaking News Nigeria and World News Top Naija News is a daily news publication in Nigeria, delivering the latest breaking news in Nigeria and around the world.
AFL personality Eddie McGuire believes the West Coast Eagles are on the brink of axing struggling coach Adam Simpson, after the side’s “total humiliation” against cross-town rivals Fremantle on Saturday.
Simpson has battled extensive injuries and lack of personnel in 2023, winning just two games so far as a dismal season comes to a close.
But McGuire says the hardships are not an excuse the Eagles board are interested in, with a decision on the coach’s future imminent.
READ MORE: ‘Absolute heartbreak’: Matildas crushed by England
READ MORE: Sam Kerr’s World Cup wondergoal leaves Australia stunned
IN PICTURES: Images that defined the World Cup semi final
“… I can tell you that the board is contemplating whether to sack Adam Simpson,” McGuire said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
“That is the situation. Things seemed to be going along alright after the Essendon game, they thought everything was hanging together, but the total humiliation of what happened on the weekend against the Fremantle Dockers has now got this before the board.”
McGuire also confirmed that Simpson wants a “quick” exit if it is determined that his tenure is to be ended after their 101 point loss to Fremantle.
“Adam Simpson knows this, because he’s actually said ‘I want to know sooner rather than later’,” McGuire said.
“He’s a proud man, he’s a great coach, he’s a fantastic person and he deserves to get a quick answer.”
Despite kicking the first two majors against Fremantle in Sunday’s Derby, the Dockers went on to boot the next 17, which McGuire is convinced sealed Simpson’s fate. He praised the premiership coach for holding the club together as best as he could during a difficult period in the club’s history.
“Adam Simpson can walk away with his head held high, even the recent disaster, because it all collapsed. A gallant effort against the Bombers,” McGuire said.
The biggest controversies in AFL history
“They had a really hard COVID and 12 months afterwards and to their credit, they’ve dug in.”
The ex-Collingwood president hinted the coach may not be the only Eagles staff to be axed in the coming weeks.
“The broom is going through the West Coast Eagles. They’ve got more money than God and they’re prepared to spend it,” McGuire said.
”They looked to get rid of a lot of their top end players to release millions, quote, millions of dollars in their salary cap for next year. And in the last three weeks we’ve seen Shannon Hurn, Luke Shuey and Nic Naitanui announce their retirements.
“I think the Eagles are putting the right things in place.”
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd agreed that the time is now for the Eagles to clear out in order to become the powerhouse they once were.
“Everyone needs to get back on edge again, be walking on egg shells (with) the best young coach,” Lloyd said on Wednesday night.
West Coast now face the eighth-placed Bulldogs and 12th-placed Crows in their finals two matches, with both oppositions still fighting for a spot in the finals.
