A leading Perth newspaper is being ripped over its final message to sacked West Coast AFL coach Adam Simpson.
The West Australian is under fire over a front page headline which reads, “See ya Simmo”, under a graphic detailing the team’s win-loss record over the past year.
The back page read, “the rise and fall of Simmo” with a photo montage of the coach.
READ MORE: Top seed bundled out as Wimbledon draw rocked
READ MORE: Teen phenom’s ‘incredible’ strike sends Spain into final
READ MORE: Legend’s fear as selector spills on Maroons snub
The Eagles won just 10 of 70 games since the 2021 mid-season bye and Simpson’s 11-year tenure as coach ended with his axing on Tuesday.
Retired West Coast player Will Schofield – who won the 2018 premiership under Simpson – led the chorus of anger towards the newspaper.
“Your quintessential almanac for embarrassing performances… never seen such a butt-hurt reaction to a coach clipping them on their way out,” Schofield tweeted.
Adam Simpson was sacked by West Coast on Tuesday. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Show more respect. This should read… ‘thank you Simmo’. This paper is run by children.”
SEN radio host Miles Pfitzner did not hold back in his assessment of the West Australian.
“What I saw this morning I find pretty deplorable,” Pfitzner said on Wednesday.
“He’s been through the wringer, Adam Simpson… in his first seven seasons at West Coast he had a 65 per cent win rate and he’s coached a premiership… he’s done a magnificent job.
“To wake up this morning and see what the West Australian have done with their front and back pages of the paper is an absolute disgrace.
“This is a guy who deserves some level of respect. He’s a human being with a family.
“Don’t go buy it… I wouldn’t waste your time.”
West Australian sports reporter Mitch Woodcock fronted up on SEN radio to discuss the departure of Simpson.
It was put to him his newspaper showed a “lack of compassion” for Simpson and “danced on his grave” with the front and back pages.
Woodcock defended his own role in the situation.
“People think I’ve got some sort of say in what goes on the front and back page,” Woodcock said.
“I don’t really have a say in it… I’ve never once called for or suggested Adam Simpson should be sacked.
“This narrative I’ve somehow called for Adam to be gone is a bit weird.
“The way my article was written inside I thought was just and fair… I really can’t comment on the front page because it’s not my editorial jurisdiction.”
Woodcock – who was given a clip by Simpson during Tuesday’s press conference – said he has no regrets about his reporting on the Eagles or their sacked coach.
“I’ve half become the story, which I don’t overly feel comfortable with,” Woodcock said.
“I’ve asked a lot of questions about himself, the club, the direction… and I’ve been the face of it and he’s obviously wanted to have one last say about it, which he is entitled to.
“I do wish him nothing but the best. I’m not the first journo to cop a clip from a coach and I won’t be the last.”