West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson has joined Carlton over a director of coaching style role in 2026.
Simpson has been thriving in the football media landscape since his Eagles sacking halfway through the 2024 season.
Taking a break from clubland, the 49-year-old is ready to rejoin, with the Blues being the beneficiaries.
“We’re really pleased to bring someone of Adam’s experience into the club,” GM of Football Chris Davies said.
“A coach who has a heap of experience, and also, is a premiership coach. His role won’t be player-facing. It will well and truly be behind the scenes with Michael (Voss) and the rest of the coaching group.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MAY 17: Adam Simpson, Senior Coach of the Eagles coach addresses the team at three quarter time break during the 2019 AFL round 09 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons at Optus Stadium on May 17, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)
“Michael and I have been talking to Adam over the past period of time, and it’s clear that he wants to give something back again, so the timing works really well.
“For Michael, it will be an objective eye. Someone who has done the role who Michael can talk to from time to time, to get an objective view of what’s going on here at the footy club.
“For the broader coaching group, we want to continue to invest in their development, and so we believe having someone like Adam who can help from a coaching perspective with a broader assistant and developing coaching group is another thing will be fantastic for them.
“But making sure it’s an objective view.”
Simpson’s appointment comes as Carlton has made wholesale changes to its coaching staff, farewelling a large portion of the group except senior coach Michael Voss.
Brad Lloyd was moved on by the club as the GM of Football, and was replaced by Port Adelaide’s Chris Davies following the 2025 season.
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Aaron Hamill (backline) departed, seeing Ashley Hansen fill the vacancy.
Josh Fraser returned to Carlton after a stint as Collingwood’s VFL coach, and will work with the forward line, pushing Jordan Russell (formerly the forwards coach) to development.
Former North Melbourne assistant coach Leigh Adams joins the Baggers as the midfield assistant coach alongside Tim Clarke, while Damian Truslove becomes the VFL senior coach and the club’s development coach following a two-year stint in the same position at the Sydney Swans.
Simpson will join the revamped group, which is also headed by Graham Wright, the Blues’ new CEO.
After a decorated playing career at North Melbourne that spanned over 15 years, two premierships, an All-Australian, best and fairest and five-season captaincy, Simpson joined the coaching caper.
A four-year stint at Hawthorn from 2010 saw the former Pick 14 develop enough experience to be appointed West Coast’s head man from 2014 onwards.
A grand final defeat in his second year, Simpson and the Eagles went on a six-year finals streak, culminating in the 2018 flag.
