West Coast coach Adam Simpson won’t rule out Liam Ryan for derby after ‘step forward’ win over Richmond

[Pelican Press 0]

West Coast coach Adam Simpson won’t rule out Liam Ryan for derby after ‘step forward’ win over Richmond

West Coast coach Adam Simpson hasn’t ruled out unleashing forward Liam Ryan across half-back in next weekend’s western derby after his successful WAFL comeback on Sunday.

Simpson wasn’t getting too excited after the Eagles’ maiden win of 2024, citing Richmond’s situation with injuries as a significant factor in the 16.13 (109) to 10.10 (70) win at Optus Stadium.

But it was undoubtedly a confidence boost ahead of the clash against cross-town rivals Fremantle, who have won the past five derby clashes by an average of 47 points.

“We’re excited, absolutely. We haven’t even come close to Fremantle in the last three or four years,” Simpson said.

“That’s practice matches, (home-and-away season) derbies. It doesn’t matter. We just want to compete.”

Ryan, 27, put his hand up for selection for his first AFL game since last year’s round three western derby.

The All-*********** forward helped the Eagles WAFL side to a drought-breaking win over East Fremantle earlier in the day, roaming across half-back, where he collected 19 disposals in limited gametime.

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Simpson said it was a position they had considered deploying Ryan in when he returned to the AFL side.

“We’ve been training him as a half-back for the past five weeks since coming back,” Simpson said.

“One to give him a bit of excitement to return because he’s been out for a long time. And two, the game’s built off back-half transition as much as front half, and the skill level he can bring it’s pretty good.

“While we haven’t been scoring a lot in that front half and he’ll add in that area, but to upskill him in another role might pay us back down the road.

“It’s not to say we’ll do it every week but learning the craft of a rebounding defender is something we can bank.”

Simpson has been hesitant to rush back injured players after being forced to do so in recent years because of availability issues.

But the 2018 premiership coach wouldn’t rule out Ryan playing against the Dockers on Saturday night.

“We’ll see how he pulls up. He played probably 70 or 80 minutes,” Simpson said.

“So did Dom (Sheed), Gaffy (Andrew Gaff) played well. Some of our older leaders got through their minutes. Some of your younger players played well as well like (Clay) Hall and (Zane) Trew stood up as well.

“It’s great to have some (selection) conversations.”

Dom Sheed fights for the footy. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West ***********

Simpson refused to look too excited about the win over the Tigers considering the opposition had more than a dozen players on their injury list.

“The club had a good day. Our WAFL Eagles had their first win for a while … then the ’87 boys came into the room before the game and that was special,” Simpson said, referring to the club honouring its inaugural squad pre-match.

“The players played the game the right way, albeit Richmond are pretty banged up as well and we’ve been in that position before where it’s been hard going trying to expose some younger players who perhaps aren’t quite ready because of the injury toll.

“We’ve got a bit of perspective as well.”

Simpson did concede it “feels different this year” for the Eagles.

“It feels like we’re chasing different things. We have a different profile,” Simpson said.

“We finished the year off OK last year and while we hadn’t won this year, we’re working on some small things to continue to grow on.

“It’s a good reward for a bit of work but it’s just another step in hopefully the right direction.”

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Simpson said the win was a step forward for the Eagles.

“We want to be better in the contests, more supply, we want pressure to be at a good level and the ball movement stuff we haven’t really touched on too much,” he said.

“Until we get these other things right, we can’t get to that. We got that right and then things worked out offensively.

“There’s a lot of work to do. We’re not delusional, we’ve got Fremantle in six days but today was a step forward for the club. That’s important as well.”

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