Former Waalitij Marawar (West Coast) Eagles coach Adam Simpson rules himself out of Carlton consideration

Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he isn’t interested in taking the coaching role at Carlton.

Aaron Kirby
The West Australian
Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he isn’t interested in taking the coaching role at Carlton.
Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he isn’t interested in taking the coaching role at Carlton. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he isn’t interested in taking the coaching role at Carlton despite the club reaching out to him.

Michael Voss called time on his tenure at the club last week, after the Blues’ diabolical start to the season left them sitting 16th with only two wins, one of which came after the former coach left.

Simpson has been out of the coaching box since departing the Eagles, who are known as Waalitij Marawar for Sir Doug Nicholls round, at the end of 2024.

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However, the premiership-winning coach said he won’t be entering the race for the role.

“I’m not going to put my hand up for any type of role with Carlton, from a coaching point of view,” Simpson told AFL360 on Wednesday.

“I think I said it last week, really. It’s difficult when you’re working at the club and mentoring someone. It doesn’t feel right.

“So, people can stop asking me questions on it; I take myself out of contention.”

The 50-year-old did reveal the Blues had sounded him out for the role.

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“A very, very brief conversation, and it was a polite decline with where I’m at, at the moment,” Simpson added.

“You can ask questions of others.

“For me at the moment, it just didn’t feel right.

“When you’re working with someone and the coaching staff. To come in and try and, yeah, that’s not quite right for me.

“But I’m sure whoever takes that job will have a good career.”

Josh Fraser is currently in the position on an interim basis, with a comprehensive application process expected to take place at season’s end.

Fraser has also ruled himself out of contention for the full-time post, while Daniel Pratt at the Western Bulldogs and Geelong’s James Rahilly have confirmed they are interested in applying for the role.

Former West Coast premiership forward Ashley Hansen could also be in the mix, as he is already an assistant with the Blues.

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