Ben Cousins comments on the West Coast Eagles’ choice to keep their coach under-fire , according to Adam Simpson
Former West Coast star Ben Cousins has fully endorsed the Eagles’ decision to retain Adam Simpson as coach, saying he is clearly the best option to lead the team into the next era.
West Coast’s board endorsed Simpson as coach during their meeting at Mineral Resources Park on Monday.
Doubts had hung over Simpson’s job, despite being contracted for another two seasons, due to the club suffering five losses by more than 100 points and finishing on the bottom of the ladder.
That followed the team winning only two games during 2021 and finishing 17th.
Cousins said keeping Simpson was the correct decision.
“I thought it was a great result,” Cousins told 7News.
“I think it shows solidarity from within the footy club and the fact they haven’t been dictated to by external noise. We all know how hard that is to ignore. I think Simpson’s experience will be invaluable going forward.
“Make no mistake, West Coast has got some real hard work and heavy lifting still to be done but, for me, I think he’s the right man for the job.
For me, I think he’s the right man for the job.
“When I heard the decision on Monday, I actually felt really good about it. By being a West Coast man, I felt like it was the right move.”
West Coast must now decide whether to keep the number one draft pick or trade it in an attempt to recruit more young players from this year’s crop of talent.
The club currently has picks one, 19, 35 and 38 in the top 40, but those selections will change as Academy selections and compensation picks for free agents get added to the draft pool.