I’m the man for rebuild: Simpson

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says he is onboard for the club’s long-term rebuild as he warned an on-field turnaround this year wouldn’t come around quickly.

The Eagles are officially calling their list overhaul a “transition” rather than a rebuild, but with no players under 21 in the side that suffered a crushing loss to Richmond, the challenges are obvious.

Simpson is contracted to 2024 and in his ninth season, but the current lack of fight from the club’s stars has raised questions about every aspect of the organisation.

West Coast has told player managers that Simpson is the man for the list rejig as they try to secure a ready-made ruckman while still going back to the draft.

Premiership coach Simpson made it clear over the weekend that he was prepared to roll up his sleeves for yet another list transition for the Perth-based club.

“It’s my first contract question and where I sit with it all,” he said.

“Absolutely (I will be here). If you are around the game for long enough you are going to go through these periods.

“As a club, we have dealt with this three or four times since the beginning. Trevor Nisbett (chief executive) has been there through all of them.

“I need to lean on that experience, I need to show resilience and not worry about my position or job and I am here for as long as the club wants me to be.”

West Coast legends Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn are likely in their final seasons, with Brad Sheppard having retired and Nic Naitanui set to go on despite being without a current deal.

But West Coast must find a way to secure more junior talent through the draft, as well as find some fight in a list that has had 26 players with Covid-19 but plenty of stars coasting through the season.

“There is a fair bit to work on,” Simpson (pictured) said.