How family guy Adam Simpson’s simple approach has the Eagles on the brink
One thing you hear repeatedly from Adam Simpson is that it is "family first" at West Coast.
This is not a new idea coming from the Eagles coach — it was a key component of what made him a successful player and captain at North Melbourne.
It wasn't unusual for Simpson to bring his kids down to Arden Street with him when he was training.
Sometimes even his dog would come along for a run around the oval and mix with the North players in the changerooms.
Simpson's focus on family was also a key reason for his playing retirement back in 2009.
"The family is definitely number one in my priorities, and that is something we tell our players. Your family is first and the club is a long way second," Simpson said.
Now that he is coach at the Eagles, that focus has continued.
Often you will see his kids around the club while he is honouring media commitments during the week.
Simpson missed a game against the Bulldogs in Melbourne earlier this year to rush home to Perth when his daughter fell ill, but West Coast still won convincingly.
The coach has sent an important message to a playing and coaching group that includes a lot of new dads — putting time in on the home front is encouraged and will be supported.
"He remembers what it is like to be a player and how important it is to have your family around," said former North Melbourne and West Coast star Drew Petrie, who played with Simpson, was coached by him and is still a member of the Eagles football department.
"He did that as a player and he is now doing it as a coach."
Always destined to be a coach
Simpson knew he wanted to continue to be involved in football towards the end of his 306-game playing career, so he started running the midfield meeting and analysing the opposition leading into games.
His teammates would say it was like having a coach on the field with his ability to spot trends and analyse the opposition while playing.
Despite his unassuming and low-key style, he was an inspirational skipper.
"I was fortunate enough to have him as a mentor early on in my [playing] career," said Petrie.
"Ever since then I have just really enjoyed the way he has led players when he was a captain at North, and I am seeing a few similarities in how he leads the group here at West Coast now as a coach.
"When he was captain the players really gravitated towards him, he was a great leader of men."
Calm in the face of adversity
There has been plenty of attention on West Coast during the second half of the season — not least Nic Naitanui's knee injury and the subsequent incident between a West Coast staffer and a TV cameraman at the airport.
There was also Andrew Gaff breaking Andrew Brayshaw's jaw during the derby and the period of intense scrutiny that followed Gaff's suspension.
Simpson and the club were criticised at times for their handling of the issues, but the Eagles maintained their focus on the field to claim a top-two finish and win both of their finals so far.
Now, they are about to play off in their second grand final in four years.
Most great teams find a way to overcome adversity.
That has been evident in the past and many say Simpson's calm demeanour has helped the team continue to perform.
"Every coach is different. Some shout and scream and yell and some thump their fists," Petrie said.
"I haven't seen Simmo do that too many times which I guess is a good gauge on what type of person he is.
"He still has his moments though … I remember last year he gave me a good spray after a game which I got towelled up in, so he definitely has that in him still."
Simpson isn't officially coach of the year.
That honour belongs to his grand final opponent Nathan Buckley at Collingwood.
But, with the Eagles in the best shape they have been, on and off the field, for a long time, the club would no doubt be satisfied with the man in charge.
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