Simpson’s way or highway for Eagles

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ADAM Simpson played in premiership teams under a ruthless Denis Pagan and has worked alongside triple Hawthorn flag architect Alastair Clarkson.

But heading into his second season at West Coast he wants to be his own man.

"From what I have learned over the first 12 months, you've just got to be yourself," a typically humble Simpson told The Sunday Times this week.

NIC NAT: I'VE GOT A POINT TO PROVE

"I can't be anyone else. It would be a big issue if you left the game and you tried to be someone that you're not.

"I had Dean Laidley for seven years and he was a special kind of coach as well in terms of his footy brain.

"As much as I admire the coaches I worked under or with, I've got to do it my own way."

Adam Simpson worked with and under high-profile coaches like Denis Pagan and Alastair Clarkson. Source: News Corp Australia

The Eagles coach predicts a more stable starting combination in 2104. He expects the performances of Nic Naitanui, Scott Lycett, Chris Masten, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Jeremy McGovern and eventually injured duo Scott Selwood and Jack Darling to be the club's barometer this season.

"They're the next era that must form the frontline of performances at our club," Simpson said.

The Eagles boss confidently tipped vast improvement from the heavily-criticised midfield and declared Beau Waters the "unknown" in West Coast's premiership hopes.

Simpson expects to bridge the gap between best and worst last season when West Coast failed to beat a top eight outfit in an 11-11 first up return to finish ninth — the fifth time the Eagles have missed September in their past seven seasons.

The Eagles suffered seven losses by 19 points and fewer, including four defeats in single point tallies.

"I don't think we fell away necessarily," Simpson said.

Adam Simpson's West Coast Eagles fell short of making the finals in 2014. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: News Corp Australia

"I don't think our losing margins were blowouts, it's that when we got challenged against good opposition we didn't meet the challenges.

"The next phase for us is to continue to perform well when we expect to and then to meet the challenge of serious teams.

"I won't get into the aspect of flat-track bullies and all that sort of stuff.

"It's beating teams that are above us and that's or next step and to continue to do what we do against where expectations are we will perform well against."

Simpson flagged prospects that playing three ruckmen as well as key forward Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling would be repeated.

And an emotional early playing return from inspirational defender Waters is on the cards.

If West Coast played this week, the injury-ravaged 2006 premiership back liner would be in the starting 18, said Simpson.

Waters, 28, is making a final fling after another reconstruction in his battle weary shoulder.

Beau Waters is a strong chance to return from injury in the NAB Challenge. Source: News Limited

He is a standout performer over this summer and has been conspicuous with trademark run and dash from backward of centre alongside new captain Shannon Hurn since returning from Christmas holidays.

Waters started his rehabilitation last June and resumed training when the first to fifth year contract list members started back on November 5.

Simpson compares the courageous defender to his revered North Melbourne teammate Glenn Archer.

"Beau's our unknown," Simpson said.

"He's training at a level that is really high in terms of time on the track and his GPS and we're just now going into some more competitive drills and he's doing them pretty easily. But we haven't thrown him in the deep end and I don't want him to until as late as we can.

"He reminds me of Arch and he played 300 games."

Simpson predicted Waters to return during the NAB Challenge.

Anticipated returns from Sharrod Wellingham and Elliot Yeo adds pace and depth to a midfield division that Simpson expects to be more stable than last season.

Wellingham, 26, made just 13 appearances last year after just 10 games in 2013 after crossing from Collingwood.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson believes his midfield will improve in 2015. Source: News Corp Australia

"I've heard a few people talk about our trade period and what we were attempting to get, but we feel we can evolve what we've got and develop some youth as well," Simpson said.

"We drafted in that direction and the kids will take time.

"I think playing under the same coaches for another year we will see some benefit in some output.

"To be honest we didn't get a good run at getting them all together.

"We lost Yeo when we just had moved him into the midfield last year and we lost him with his broken wrist.

"It's an area we need to work on, no doubt. We feel like we're seeing some progression.

Simpson confessed the best is yet to come from Wellingham, who is injury-free and in full training, as well as Naitanui.

The polarising big man is completing his finest and only first pre-season program since being drafted in 2008.

"I certainly haven't seen the best of Wellingham and I think he'd be the first to admit that as well." Simpson said.

West Coast's Nic Naitanui is expected to significantly increase his productivity on last season. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Corp Australia

"He has got the profile to play midfield and developing him into the midfielder that I want to see is what we're working on and the modern day game."

Simpson expects Naitanui to significantly increase his productivity on last season when he averaged 12 disposals, 22 hit-outs and nine contested possessions in 20 games.

"He hasn't done everything and he never will, but Nic's given himself every opportunity to perform better and to perform at a level that we all hope he performs at," Simpson said.

"He rides the wave of expectation more than anyone, but at least now he's had a really look at a pre-season and continuity with training and connection with our other forwards and midfielders.

"So I'm hoping that we can see a consistency at another level."

Simpson gave clear indication he is unlikely to persist with a strategy of playing three ruckmen in his starting 22 with Naitanui, Lycett and Callum Sinclair all secure on the list following the retirement of champion big man Dean Cox.

It was at cumbersome last season as Simpson and his support coaches experimenting with three burly big men in his outfit as well as Kennedy and Darling up forward.

"I think you'll see a more settled team, still flexible.

"They know their roles better now and how to execute their role better than last year."

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