South West AFL Watch: Former Harvey Bulls player Jarrad Schofield appointed as interim West Coast coach

Former Harvey Bulls player Jarrad Schofield has been appointed as West Coast’s interim coach for the remainder of the 2024 season. The Eagles parted ways with 2018 premiership-winning mentor Adam Simpson on Tuesday morning, with the club’s midfield coach Schofield appointed as his replacement for the rest of the year. Schofield finished a glittering playing career where he won an AFL premiership with Port Adelaide in 2004 and a hat-trick of WAFL flags with Subaico by making sporadic appearances for the Bulls in 2010 and 2011. He then turned his attention to coaching, winning three more premierships at the helm of a dominant Subiaco side before spending time as an assistant at his former clubs Port Adelaide and West Coast. Schofield may have to wait for his chance to lead the side for the first time, with Simpson having the option of coaching the side for the final time against Brisbane on Sunday. Simpson’s departure came on the back of a disappointing 54-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, where South West products Brady Hough (Harvey) and Reuben Ginbey (Dunsborough) both finished with 14 disposals. Speaking before the game, Ginbey admitted his influence had tailed off in recent weeks and said he was tightening his focus on hunting the ball in search of a form spike. “I guess that’s the challenge that comes with being a young AFL player. You can play some good games but it’s just finding that consistency,” he said. “Even if I can’t find the ball I am still priding myself on my pressure and defence. As long as I can bring that, I know getting the footy will come. “Hopefully, the next seven, eight weeks if I can just stick with what I do best, my defence, my intensity, my run, my footy will go from there.” Busselton’s Jye Amiss had a mixed day as Fremantle defeated Richmond by 51 points at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, breaking a goal drought at the venue which spanned back to round three but missing with his other three shots on goal.