Glen Quartermain: With Adam Simpson staying, what now needs to change around him at West Coast Eagles?

So the fans have won. The players had their say and the Eagles’ board listened. Powerful forces outside the executive and the board were also strong on Adam Simpson remaining in the job, convinced that a potential payout of up to $6 million including soft cap tax was both too high and unnecessary. A whopping 794 games experience walked out the door through the retirements of Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Nic Naitanui on Saturday night. It may get worse before it gets better. Would a new coach be a lamb to the slaughter or would a fresh voice have helped accelerate the rebuild? Simpson has two years remaining and with more pain ahead he will be lucky to see both seasons out. Yet he remains in the job on the back of five wins in two seasons and five 100-point floggings this year alone. He’s proven he’s a survivor and has repeatedly said “I’m up for it”. Simpson has remained stoic throughout this season. He’s not shrugged his responsibilities or his media commitments. But his language shifted immeasurably after the 101-point defeat in the round 22 western derby which included an indefensible 17 unanswered Fremantle goals. Phrases such as “what will be will be” and “seeking clarity” were rolled out and clear indicators Simpson’s was on shifting ground. “No one knows our playing list better than Adam and he has already steered us through the first phase of the rebuild. We are confident he can take us forward and take us where we aspire to be,” chair Paul Fitzpatrick said on Monday in a statement that also revealed “unanimous” support from the board. Simpson has now completed 10 years as coach. It’s a long time in one senior role. Rebuilds take a while, so it could be 15 years before the Eagles challenge for a flag again. The board will now turn to ushering in a new CEO to replace Trevor Nisbett, a new fitness regime and there is talk of changes to the assistants around Simpson. The raft of injuries and failed rehabilitation needs to be prioritised. Comfort zones must be shut down never to be re-opened. Simpson also needs to be seriously challenged by those around him. There is already quality in the younger ranks – Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett and Noah Long look long-termers – Oscar Allen will at some stage by installed as a long-term captain. They have the No. 1 draft pick, which they could use or split to bring in two first-rounders. “We know we need to be better across all aspects in the football program,” Fitzpatrick said. Yes, but not just the football department. The board, the executive team. They all need to better.