Woosha wishes West Coast well
Former West Coast coach John Worsfold has labelled the Eagles "ready to go" under new coach Adam Simpson, predicting a successful first year under his successor.
As West Coast yesterday omitted youngster Dom Sheed from their squad to play Melbourne on Sunday, and included Brant Colledge for a possible AFL debut after a strong game in the WAFL for East Perth, Worsfold told _The West Australian _'s Leadership Matters breakfast at Crown Perth the Eagles would bounce back quickly from a disappointing 2013.
"In 2013 our season was hijacked a bit, not just through injury but through mistakes that we made," he said.
"Adam Simpson has addressed those mistakes and he is ready to go with this squad. The squad is ready to go with Adam Simpson. He is coming across really strong already.
"I am looking from afar but I am talking to some players and I am hearing, not that he has got a really strong game plan, but that he is a really good guy.
"I am sure the Eagles board weighted heavily on Adam's values when they appointed him as senior coach. Nothing will make me happier and prouder than to see him have a brilliant year as coach of the West Coast Eagles."
Sheed made his debut against the Western Bulldogs in West Coast's 65-point romp at Patersons Stadium on Sunday but played just a quarter, gathering three possessions.
Colledge was best afield in East Perth's high-standard WAFL win over fellow AFL alignment team Peel. The 19-year-old had also played impressively in a NAB Challenge game against Sydney and a practice match against Fremantle in the pre-season.
The Eagles also included Josh Hill, Scott Lycett and Brad Sheppard in their 25-man squad to face the Demons. All three were emergencies last week.
Melbourne added Sam Blease and West Australians Michael Evans and Dean Kent.
Asked what advice he would give Simpson, Worsfold said: "Coaching is a team effort. You feel like the spotlight is on you. When things are going good it is great and when things are going bad you feel like all of those coaches around you drift into the shadows.
"It is a team effort. Rely on those guys to take a lot of the work off you at times. Because you are the one that is in the spotlight, you feel like you have to be over everything."
