Who should coach the Eagles next? Liam Ryan voices his hope
By Justin Chadwick
West Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan has opened up on his sadness at seeing Adam Simpson depart, and his hope interim coach Jarrad Schofield will get the gig.
Simpson bid an emotional farewell to the club’s fans before Sunday’s 13-point loss to the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium, with the 2018 premiership coach receiving a standing ovation.
Ryan leads the team into the rooms during Sunday’s match. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Eagles players hugged Simpson before the opening bounce.
Sunday’s match marked Ryan’s 100-game AFL milestone, and he had tears in his eyes as he reflected on the influence Simpson had on his life.
“The great man, he had a big impact on my career,” said Ryan, who was snared with pick No.26 in the 2017 national draft.
“It’s sad to say goodbye to him for my 100th. I wish he coached it.
“He just backed me in every day of the week, every game.
“He just showed love when things got hard for me. As you can see now, I’m starting to get emotional just talking about it.”
Sydney assistant coach and West Coast legend Dean Cox is the early frontrunner to be appointed as Simpson’s full-time replacement.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he will be open to receiving a call, while Ash Hansen, Jaymie Graham, Josh Carr and Brett Montgomery are among the other names that could also be in the running.
Schofield is yet to declare whether he’ll throw his hat into the ring, but his lengthy apprenticeship suggests he is keen.
Ryan has seen firsthand Schofield’s evolution as a coach after playing under him at WAFL club Subiaco in 2016 and 2017.
Schofield said he convinced Ryan to play under him by promising the prodigious talent he could play at full-forward.
The tactic worked, with Ryan kicking 40 goals in 16 league matches in 2016 and then 73 goals in 23 games a year later to attract West Coast’s interest.
Schofield led Subiaco to three flags across five grand final appearances but concedes he was too confrontational with his players at times.
The 49-year-old says assistant coach stints at Port Adelaide and the Eagles have tamed this tendency.
“Just like Simmo, he’s been real big on my career,” Ryan said.
“He wrapped his arms around me day one.
“I would love to see him get the West Coast job.
“He said he’s not going to go turbo. He just wants to demand what we need to do and get the best out of the boys.
“He loves a chat and he just loves showing love. That’s what he’s about.”
Ryan was West Coast’s best against the Lions, tallying 21 disposals, 480m gained, 10 score involvements and two goals.
The 27-year-old was thrilled to see his “premiership brother” Willie Rioli fly to Perth for Simpson’s send-off and Ryan’s milestone celebrations.