FORMER Carlton and Geelong player Adrian Hickmott has been elevated to a senior assistant coaching role at West Coast under new coach Adam Simpson.

 

Hickmott, who played 184 matches with the Blues and the Cats, has spent the past two years at the Eagles as a development coach but will now be the assistant in charge of the Eagles' defence.

 

Hickmott is the third new assistant coach appointed under Simpson, joining Brady Rawlings and Don Pyke. Justin Longmuir is the only remaining senior assistant from John Worsfold's tenure.

 

Hickmott was excited about the prospect of becoming a senior AFL assistant after 10 years of coaching at country, TAC Cup, VFL and WAFL level.

 

"I have been coaching ever since I retired and this is a really exciting opportunity," Hickmott said in a club statement.

 

"For the last two years I have been working with the backs in a development role. I believe I have built a strong rapport with the players and I look forward to continuing to assist them impacting in the AFL."

 

"I am really looking forward to working with Adam and the other coaching staff. We have a terrific group of players and we are all committed to seeing the club rise up the ladder."

 

West Coast's football operations manager Craig Vozzo said Hickmott's elevation was just reward for his performance as a development coach.

 

"Adrian has impressed everyone at the club in the last two years, with his work ethic and the devotion to the improvement of our players," Vozzo said.

 

"We are certain Adrian has all the qualities required in the role.

 

"We will complete our coaching structure when we add another development coach to fill the void."