Eagles captain Oscar Allen breaks ranks in swipe at 'disgusting' move towards Adam Simpson

Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen has hit out at the treatment of Adam Simpson as the AFL world fumes over the criticism of the former West Coast coach. The West Australian newspaper copped swift backlash for their role in singling out Simpson the day after the announcement he would be leaving the head coach role after 11 years in charge of the Eagles.

After 11 years, pressure had been building on the coach after a horror run in 2024. And Simpson hit out at the media during his final press conference when asked when he knew his time was up in the role. “Probably your 300th article,” Simpson said when asked the question.

“You guys can be cruel sometimes really, you have got to keep that in check because we’re human and we have families. So you want more access to our players, treat them with a bit more respect would be a good start. But you’ve got to do your job as well we get that, that’s the industry.”

And following the press conference, the West Australian newspaper doubled down and singled out the former Eagles coach and posted his recent record - his last 65 games in charge - on their front page. This did not go down well within the AFL community.

Following the backlash, captain Allen has now blasted the reaction from the paper. Allen credited Simpson as one of his mentors and claimed the move was 'embarrassing' off the back of the veteran's announcement. “I'm always quite politically respectful, but I thought it was disgusting and completely disgraceful for one of the three coaches in the history of WA football to ever win a Premiership, took the club to two grand finals and coached for 11 years," an emotional Allen said on Mix94.5’s Pete & Kymba for Breakfast.

"As I mentioned, the last three years have been tough. He's still got a 50/50 win loss record after we've won like six games in three years.

"I just thought it was completely embarrassing and showed their true colours and then I thought the worst thing was and it was so distasteful – they get the public feedback and backlash and then the next day they backtrack and say, ‘Always born to be Coach!’ with the Premiership Cup – it’s just like, you guys are embarrassing.

"I'll probably get trouble for saying that, but I don't really care. I've made my feelings pretty clear at the footy club and I’ve had other players from other AFL clubs, messaged me and they're like, ‘I can't believe you guys deal with this.’ In the other sense as I said, we get it, they've got a job to do, I just think can be done with a lot more class and respect than what they currently do with.”

Harley Reid supports Adam Simpson after news

And Allen hasn't been the only Eagles star to talk out against the treatment of Simpson. Young AFL prodigy Harley Reid sent a message to the coach amid his short time at the club. Reid thanked Simpson for the support in his first season and hit out at the backlash, which he obviously deemed unwarranted.

“Couldn’t thank this bloke enough for what he's done in such a short time of my career. One of the greatest to ever do it and has put up with so much crap,” Reid posted on social media. He accompanied the words with a photo of the pair.

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Simpson has opted against a farewell game in charge, meaning interim coach Jarrad Schofield will step into the coaching box against the Lions. Simpson will be acknowledged out on the field at Optus Stadium leading into the first bounce with the Eagles faithful afforded the chance to give their long-time coach a well deserved farewell.