Adam Simpson Steps Back from Melbourne Coaching Race, Clearing Way for Nathan Buckley
So, here’s the latest buzz in the AFL coaching scene that’s really catching attention — Adam Simpson has officially pulled out of the running to become Melbourne’s next head coach. After leaving West Coast last year, Simpson has said he’s simply not in the right headspace to take on the Melbourne job right now. Instead, he’s leaning towards spending more time in the media, taking a break from the intense world of coaching.
This announcement follows a string of other big names stepping aside from the Melbourne coaching race. John Longmire, the former Sydney coach, also recently decided not to pursue the position, and Ken Hinkley from Port Adelaide has already made it clear he won’t be returning to coaching next year either. Even James Hird, who’s often been mentioned as a contender, looks unlikely to throw his hat in the ring. So, Simpson’s withdrawal adds to this trend of high-profile candidates passing on the role.
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Interestingly, Simpson confirmed that Melbourne hasn’t even contacted him about the coaching vacancy, which sometimes happens in these situations where potential candidates might wait for that call to reconsider. But after some reflection, Simpson feels the passion and mental readiness required for such a high-pressure job aren’t quite there for him at the moment. He described the coaching search process as a “turbo” effort once it starts, and he just isn’t prepared to dive into that.
All of this now leaves former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley as the clear frontrunner for the Melbourne position. Buckley, who lost the 2018 Grand Final to Simpson’s West Coast Eagles, is viewed as the experienced option the Demons might turn to next. Although the club hasn’t reached out to him yet, it seems like just a matter of time before discussions begin. Buckley himself has expressed that the job is very appealing, but he’s still weighing up whether he wants to jump back into coaching at the elite level.
There are also some younger or less experienced candidates being mentioned, such as Magpies assistant Hayden Skipworth, but Buckley is currently the standout figure given his coaching pedigree.
This whole coaching saga comes on the heels of Melbourne’s surprising decision to sack Simon Goodwin, their premiership-winning coach. The players, including captain Max Gawn, have urged the club to move quickly in appointing a replacement. The Demons are clearly at a crossroads and want stability heading into the next season.
So, with Simpson stepping back and other veterans opting out, Nathan Buckley’s name is front and center as the next potential coach of Melbourne. It’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds and what Buckley decides in the coming weeks. For now, Simpson’s candidness about needing a break and focusing on media work adds a human side to the high-stakes world of AFL coaching.
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