West Coast coach Adam Simpson has urged the Eagles to create their very own historical past by bouncing again up the ladder after the worst AFL season within the membership’s proud historical past.
The Eagles’ disastrous marketing campaign got here to an finish in Geelong on Saturday as they had been blown away by the premiership favourites by 85 factors.
West Coast, who had been battered by accidents and COVID-19 points all season, have completed with a club-worst 2-20 document to sit down seventeenth on the ladder, solely forward of North Melbourne on proportion.
The Eagles solely wood spoon got here in 2010 after they went 4-18 and the AFL had 16 groups, earlier than the entry of Gold Coast and GWS.
Beneath John Worsfold, West Coast powered again up the ladder in 2011 to achieve a preliminary last.
Simpson was hesitant to make any daring predictions for 2023 however is aware of the Eagles are able to a lot better.
“We have been hit with some hurdles this yr,” he mentioned.
“It has been a problem to maintain the group collectively and keep collectively … internally we’re on the precise path.
“You’ll be able to discuss historical past repeating itself, however we have to create our personal future.
“We will not simply say ‘West Coast have been fairly good at bouncing, so we’ll do it’.
“The actual fact is the membership has been by it earlier than and so they’ve labored by it fairly effectively and now it is our flip to do it.”
Premiership ahead Junior Rioli was subbed out within the final quarter with a groin concern after solely returning to the membership on Tuesday after spending time in Darwin following the demise of his father.
“I am simply so pleased he got here again and performed the final sport – he did not should, it was completely as much as him and he put the membership first,” Simpson mentioned.
Simpson is hopeful a brand new deal will probably be reached to maintain the off-contract Rioli on the Eagles subsequent yr and past.
“Now that the season’s completed he can sit down and work it out and hopefully we get a call quickly,” he mentioned.
