Adam Simpson will toss the coin in West Coast's home clash against Brisbane this Sunday, Tim Gossage breaking the news Thursday morning onย SEN WA Breakfast.
This occasion will likely be the official farewell from the Optus Stadium supporter base, the final moment of celebration for the 2018 premiership hero before he exits without a goodbye coaching performance.
The ousted West Coast Eagles coach clarified a controversial moment involving Bailey Williams on the way to his final press conference, clearing the air in an interview on Channel 7's 'Talking Footy' on Wednesday night after his departure from the club was announced.
Amid rampant social media speculation about what he said to Williams as he walked down the corridor, Simpson revealed the truth.
"Bailey's got the dirtiest red moustache I've ever seen," he shared.
"I said, โmate, you need to get rid of that'... He looks like Goose off Top Gun."
The light-hearted remark still hasn't put to rest rumours of a more serious exchange, which had fans and pundits buzzing over the alleged "you've had your say" or "you need to stay" quotations.
Adam Simpson has revealed what he said walking into his press conference on Tuesday ๐
MORE: https://t.co/9K5qilvVyt pic.twitter.com/XnMSJNBVJA
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 10, 2024
Addressing the discussion of a final coaching performance this Sunday at home against Brisbane, Simpson again clarified what he believed was an error in communication.
"I buggered that one up. Pykey (Don Pyke) and I spoke beforehand, and he asked if it was on the table," Simpson revealed.
"I might've projected the wrong message because I wasn't really keen at the time and I wasn't as clear as I should've been. So by the time we got to the press conference, that was on me."
Beside all the the challenges and controversies of the press conference and coaching tenure itself, Simpson reminisced about his journey and the lessons learned from his time at the elite level, playing and coaching.
He exits with a range of emotions, and some surprising farewell messages.
"I learnt a lot at North Melbourne... about unity and about mateship. It was a real strength of our footy club; footy trips were compulsory.
"When I got the job (at West Coast), I was really keen to bring back footy trips, and that won the boys over pretty quickly."
"I walk away disappointed and sad but also a little bit relieved."
"Hayden Ballentine texted me today, which was interesting."
Looking ahead, Simpson seems ready for a break from the intense scrutiny of the AFL world.
Pressed on the possibility of future roles in the AFL and the potential future coaching appointment at the Eagles, notably former AFLW champion Daisy Pearce, Simpson joked: "I'm more worried about the deep clean in the kitchen I need to do in the next couple of weeks."
"I'm not in that conversation, but, you know, she's at the club. I don't think Pykey's putting his hand up either."
The Eagles move forward this weekend under interim coach Jarrad Schofield, while candidates for next season remain to be pondered.
Dean Cox, Jaymie Graham, Ash Hansen, Nathan Buckley, Daniel Giansiracusa and Jarrad Schofield will be the top names speculated for the remainder of the 2024 season.
