- Adam Simpson said goodbye to West Coast on Sunday
- The Eagles coach was fired earlier this week
- He spoke a few words to the fans at Optus Stadium
Adam Simpson completed a lap of honour at Optus Stadium as he bid farewell to his adoring West Coast Eagles fans.
Simpson agreed to leave the AFL club earlier this week amid a miserable season in the competition, but leaves with fond memories of the way he led the Eagles to the Premier League in 2018.
The football coach turned down the opportunity to coach the team for one final match in Sunday’s game against Brisbane, but he did say a few words to the crowd before the match.
“This is a little awkward,” Simpson said as he took the microphone.
‘On behalf of the players, coaches and the football club we would like to thank you very much for your support over the last 11 years. It has simply been a great period.
‘We’ve had a lot of success… how good was ’18.
‘But we have also had some tough times and I can’t thank you enough and show you enough appreciation for the way you have stood behind the boys, me and the club over the last 12 months.
Adam Simpson said goodbye to the West Coast Eagles on Sunday
The 2018 Premier League-winning coach hugged his fans for the final time
‘I’m one of you now, I’m going to sit somewhere in the stands and I just have to get a few tickets from someone.
‘I’ll keep watching, I can’t wait to see these boys play the next part of the journey and thank you to the football club for everything, let’s go for it Eagles. Thank you.’
Simpson handed back the microphone and walked to the center to flip the coin, receiving thunderous applause.
“Adam Simpson is going to put the coin in his pocket at the end of the toss,” joked David King on Fox Footy.
‘He’s done everything he can for the last six, seven, eight, ten, twelve years. He’s going to go to the West Coast Football Club one more time and steal the coin after he’s flipped it.
‘After he did a fantastic job, he deserved it.’