West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson has opened up on life after coaching in the AFL, as he prepares to tackle a new challenge in season 2025.

Want a PAID on-air role and mentorship with Fox Footy for Super Saturday LIVE in 2025? Enter the Kayo Call Up now. Submit a creative video and 100 words via https://thekayocallup.kayosports.com.au/ – Applications close Dec 11.

The two-time premiership player at North Melbourne parted ways with the Eagles after 11 years in July of 2024, and has a monstrous 548 games worth of VFL/AFL experience both on-field and as a coach.

Speaking to foxfooty.com.au nearly six months after his exit from the West Coach job, Simpson unsurprisingly noted that the transition out of the coaches box has been peaceful.

“I’m probably a bit more relaxed watching the footy (now) than I was as a coach,” Simpson joked.

“When you’re winning, you watch a lot more (media) than when you’re losing.

“The last few years, I probably didn’t consume as much as I once did. (You) sort of feed your ego a little bit when you’re going well, and avoid it when you’re not.”

The holy grail for Simpson as a coach came in 2018, when his Eagles knocked off Collingwood by five points in what is regarded by some as the greatest game in VFL/AFL history.

He went on to take West Coast to back-to-back finals series after their ultimate success, before the club’s transition into a rebuild during the back end of Covid.

Simpson, who will commentate for Fox Footy in 2025, elaborated on why his transition into the media was a logical one — and what he’s looking forward to providing fans with the most.

“You spent a fair bit of time in front of a camera as a senior coach, and I started to build some really good relationships with some of the guys at Fox Footy; you do the Monday nights on AFL 360 with the coaches, Gerard Whateley and the crew (and it) felt like a natural fit,” explained Simpson.

“We finished first and we finished last at West Coast, so I’ve been through the roller coaster. That’s probably what I’ve consumed more of, the analytical side.

“Some of the things that I’ve seen when they talk about us (West Coast) in the last few years, it’s not far off.

“It’s probably led by Kingy (David King) — but the analytics that they do … it’s almost spot on.

ADAM SIMPSON’S FOOTBALL PROFILE

VFL/AFL games played: 306

AFL games coached: 242

AFL premierships (as a player): 2 (1996, 1999)

AFL premierships (as a coach): 1 (2018)

North Melbourne captain:2004-2008

All-Australian: 2002, 2018 (as coach)

Kangaroos best and fairest: 2002

In what is a full circle moment, Simpson will join forces with his Kangaroos premiership teammate David King in 2025, who has helped mentor him while transitioning from coaching to commentary.

“I’m a premiership teammate with David King … he’s mentored me a little bit throughout this process as well. The analytical side, I suppose you gravitate towards, rather than the drama and reality TV aspects of sport … but the on-field analytics and what the coaches are thinking (I’ll be) going through,” Simpson explained.

“I’ll leave (calling play-by-play) to the to the experts, although I know Kayo are putting out a competition to get a potential rookie as an expert commentator; they get mentored by the greats — which is not me!

“From what I can gather, you need to be authentic; you can’t fake it … I need to find my own groove before I give any advice.”

Simpson’s Kayo reference refers to their once-in-a-lifetime competition the Kayo Call Up, which will give one lucky aspiring commentator the chance to work and be mentored at Fox Footy alongside the likes of Simpson for a minimum of the first eight rounds next AFL season.

To enter, applicants will submit a video of them commentating alongside a short 100-word written entry as to why they are the best candidate for the position.

AFL legend Leigh Matthews, modern-era great Shaun Burgoyne and recently retired Cats champion Tom Hawkins will also join Simpson in the commentary box next season, with the first eight Saturday’s of the 2025 AFL season (nine including Opening Round) shown live and exclusive to Fox Footy.

Including Simpson, the aforementioned quartet have collectively won 17 premierships between them either on-field or as an AFL head coach.

As part of the Kayo Call Up, budding commentators, hosts, boundary riders, experts or people wanting a leg-up in the broadcasting industry are asked to submit a creative video and their details via a dedicated competition website – https://thekayocallup.kayosports.com.au/