West Coast coach Adam Simpson has delivered the ultimate crack at his critics after his side’s upset seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
With reports growing he’s coaching his last games at the Eagles’ helm, Simpson couldn’t resist having a dig as his side climbed off the bottom of the ladder for the first time since Round 9.
“We tried to tank that in the last three minutes – it didn’t work,” he joked to Fox Footy’s Ben Dixon.
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“I kept on saying kick it the other way and play equalise game!
“It’s credit to the players, they were really disappointed last week (in the record Western Derby belting).
“To respond they way they did … it’s been a heavy couple of weeks. Really proud of the players.
“There’s pride in their club – you accept the criticism and the only way you can respond is on the field.”
Simpson cut an emotional figure on the sidelines as the final siren sounded, after the Eagles kicked five last quarter goals to steal the win.
“Rumours of my coaching death have been greatly exaggerated,” Fox Footy’s David King said of Simpson.
“He’s a proud man Adam Simpson.
“The heat is on in Western Australia, there’s no doubt about that. He’s just shifted the hot potato from the West Coast to the Western Bulldogs.”
West Coast’s star of the show Jamie Cripps, who kicked five goals, threw his support behind the embattled Simpson in the strongest possible way.
“Mate, Simmo’s been copping it mate which is a bit unfair,” he told Dixon.
“It’s on us boys coming out each week and playing like we did today.
“Last week was very disappointing. We just wanted to come out and have a crack today pretty much for Simmo.
“He’s a great coach.
“He should be our coach going forward.”
And the small forward had a near slip of the tongue as he pulled up short of dropping an ‘f-bomb’ during the live interview.
“We’ve had a fairly tough year again,” he said.
“It’s good to see the boys having a good crack today.
“Bullies (Bulldogs) are a f … (pulls up short) good team.
“We’re just happy we could play a four quarter effort.”
The win lifts West Coast into 17th, relegating North Melbourne back to the wooden spoon with one round to go.
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