Adam Simpson Rules Himself Out of Carlton Coach Race

Adam Simpson has ruled himself out of the Carlton coach race after the club approached him about its next head AFL coach. On Wednesday night, the former West Coast premiership winner said he would not put his hand up for the job while he is working at Carlton and mentoring someone.

Simpson Ends Carlton Talk

“I’m not going to put my hand up for any type of role with Carlton, from a coaching point of view,” Simpson said on AFL 360. He added: “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.”

He also described the club’s approach as brief. “It was a very, very brief conversation and it was a polite decline with where I’m at, at the moment,” he said. “When you’re working with someone and the coaching staff. To come in and try and…yeah, that’s not quite right for me.”

Carlton Search After Voss

Carlton has been hunting for a new coach since Michael Voss stepped down earlier this month, and Simpson had been a logical fit because he was already working as a part-time coaching consultant at the club. His exit removes one experienced name from a search that has already seen Josh Fraser say he will not put his hand up for the full-time role because he does not feel ready.

John Longmire remains an option and has not ruled himself out. Last week, Corey Enright said he was focusing on St Kilda for the time being, James Rahilly said he would be open to a conversation if Carlton approached him, and Craig McRae said his assistant Hayden Skipworth is ready. Luke Beveridge also named Daniel Giansiracusa, Ash Hansen, Brendon Lade and Daniel Pratt as coaches capable of stepping up.

For Carlton, Simpson’s decision leaves fewer senior candidates in play as the club works through its replacement for Voss. The next move sits with the Blues, but the pool has already tightened before a final choice has been made.