Cox 'not good' says furious West Coast coach Simpson
Eagles coach furious after Cox blow, also wants 'bigger' midfielders
ADAM Simpson had to use every ounce of strength to restrain himself from commenting on Ty Vickery's hit on Dean Cox.
Vickery was reported for striking Cox in an ugly incident during the second term of Richmond's 17-point win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Friday night.
West Coast's coach held his nerve after the game, but his blood was clearly boiling over the incident that has left his retiring champion heavily concussed.
"He's not good," Simpson said of Cox.
"Let's not talk about that. It'll deal with itself throughout the week."
Simpson was asked whether he had faith in the Match Review Panel to deal with the incident appropriately.
"Time will tell," he said.
The first-year coach's blood pressure calmed when he was asked about the match itself but he was still frustrated at his side's performance.
Simpson's team was beaten at the coalface, with Richmond gathering 27 more contested possessions than the Eagles in very heavy conditions.
Simpson said his side needed bigger bodies in the midfield.
"I think it's less about the intent, it's more about the technique," Simpson said.
"Bigger bodies. I think we need to get bigger … bigger and stronger. So we'll embark on that now in preparation for next year.
"On nights like this two things stand out, the bigger bodies and class. I just thought at the pointy end we just got pipped."
Richmond had 10 players collect 10 contested possessions or more to the Eagles’ seven.
Matt Priddis was a shining light in the midfield with 19 contested possessions and 18 tackles but the coach felt his team had too many passengers.
However, Simpson said it's not all doom and gloom.
"I think we've got some good kids coming through who have got some size," Simpson said.
"But we're missing three senior players. (Elliot) Yeo was getting down that track, and (Scott) Selwood and (Matt) Rosa.
"So we're fighting a bit thin across the midfield but that's something that we'll work on, and we've been working on, along with technique as well."
Simpson conceded that any faint hope of a September appearance had been washed away on Friday night but he said the next five weeks were still valuable.
"It's an important period for us," Simpson said.
"We want to continue to develop our fundamentals, and see what our kids can do.
"We're finding out a lot about our list at the moment."
What will give Brisbane the edge when they meet their old foes, Adelaide, in a preliminary?
10:05
Full 2024 draft recap: Who came out on top?
Draft guru Cal Twomey teams up with Nat Edwards and Riley Beveridge to unpack all the winners and surprises from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft
03:29
Roos explain shock pick swap, praise O’Sullivan
North Melbourne’s Will Thursfield offers insight into his club’s bold trade with Richmond and explains why No.2 pick Finn O’Sullivan is one to watch for fans
06:37
Tigers’ draft jackpot: What’s in store for 2025
Richmond’s Blair Hartley unpacks his club’s impressive draft haul and weighs in on No.1 pick Sam Lalor’s round one hopes