Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson backs Campbell Chesser to earn fresh Eagles contract
Chesser was the club's top draft pick in 2021, the first draft where they had a first-round selection in multiple years after the Tim Kelly trade.
However, the youngster's body has let him down. A string of injuries, beginning with a broken ankle in his rookie campaign, curtailed his chances and restricted him to only 33 matches in four years.
After a stint in the WAFL to regain fitness, Chesser finally made his first AFL appearance for 2025 in Saturday's dire belting against Melbourne.
But the 22-year-old was one of the better showings with 17 disposals and a goal as well as a nice highlight play streaming through the middle of the ground before pin-pointing veteran Jamie Cripps with a kick inside 50.
Simpson labelled Chesser a 'tremendous athlete' that just needed to develop the game sense that has been held back by his injuries.
'Agree (that he will get a new deal), not really knowing,' Simpson said on SEN.
'He had a go (on the weekend). Fifteen odd touches and kicked a goal. It's the game sense stuff that we notice because of the lack of continuity. Just getting the rhythm of the game is probably the last piece.
'He's a tremendous athlete who broke his ankle in his first pre-season, so unfortunately, he just hasn't had a run at it.
'Hopefully, he gets to play the next three games and contribute, and there's a step forward.'
Another ankle injury has plagued Chesser's 2025 efforts, with the explosive midfielder given a cautious rehabilitation program.
Chesser was on track for a round one debut in his first season, but sustained bone and ligament damage to his left ankle in a pre-season game in February 2022.
The long-term injury blow compounded the fact the Melbourne Grammar graduate had played only five games in two years before his draft due to COVID-19 and a substantial knee injury.
Chesser's current contract expires at the end of this season, with the 22-year-old seemingly given four games to prove he deserves to remain at the club.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Won't miss it': Demons remain without permanent home
It was the 10-word punchline that said everything. As a shocked Simon Goodwin articulated his sacking as Melbourne coach, he delivered a cheeky parting shot that broke the ice of a serious press conference. "Probably what I won't miss is driving down to Casey," Goodwin said when referencing the Demons' outer-suburban training facility. But Melbourne's lack of a permanent, singular home is no laughing matter. "Without a doubt it's a challenge," Goodwin said. "(Ex-Demons player and current scout) Kelly O'Donnell is probably the longest serving person here and he's been waiting since 1979. "Hopefully Caulfield will get up and running soon and everyone will be under one roof." Melbourne's football and administrative operations are split like no other club in the AFL. The Demons share their training between Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, about 53km from Melbourne's CBD, and Gosch's Paddock in the Olympic Park precinct. Melbourne's administrative staff operate out of AAMI Park, and some still out of offices at their long-time home ground of the MCG nearby. The Demons were based out of the Junction Oval in St Kilda from from 1986 until 2009, but moved because they were forced to train elsewhere in the off-season to accommodate cricket. Melbourne want to build a new home at the Caulfield Racecourse, but that is not guaranteed to be approved, nor is there any timeline on when it may happen. The Demons were able to end their 57-year premiership drought in 2021 when the whole competition was disrupted and unsettled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Melbourne president Brad Green was adamant the club had given Goodwin the best chance to achieve sustained success. "These last five or six years, Simon has been resilient through that period," Green said. "He's a leader. He's a great coach. "It's never easy when there's change. We don't shy away from that as a board." Goodwin's successor will deal with the same challenges, like trying to recruit star players without a secure and comfortable headquarters. Premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, who exited their respective clubs West Coast and Sydney last year following long stints, are certain to be on Melbourne's wish list. Simpson and Longmire, former teammates at North Melbourne, will appear in their regular Wednesday night slot on Fox Footy's AFL 360 program. It was the 10-word punchline that said everything. As a shocked Simon Goodwin articulated his sacking as Melbourne coach, he delivered a cheeky parting shot that broke the ice of a serious press conference. "Probably what I won't miss is driving down to Casey," Goodwin said when referencing the Demons' outer-suburban training facility. But Melbourne's lack of a permanent, singular home is no laughing matter. "Without a doubt it's a challenge," Goodwin said. "(Ex-Demons player and current scout) Kelly O'Donnell is probably the longest serving person here and he's been waiting since 1979. "Hopefully Caulfield will get up and running soon and everyone will be under one roof." Melbourne's football and administrative operations are split like no other club in the AFL. The Demons share their training between Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, about 53km from Melbourne's CBD, and Gosch's Paddock in the Olympic Park precinct. Melbourne's administrative staff operate out of AAMI Park, and some still out of offices at their long-time home ground of the MCG nearby. The Demons were based out of the Junction Oval in St Kilda from from 1986 until 2009, but moved because they were forced to train elsewhere in the off-season to accommodate cricket. Melbourne want to build a new home at the Caulfield Racecourse, but that is not guaranteed to be approved, nor is there any timeline on when it may happen. The Demons were able to end their 57-year premiership drought in 2021 when the whole competition was disrupted and unsettled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Melbourne president Brad Green was adamant the club had given Goodwin the best chance to achieve sustained success. "These last five or six years, Simon has been resilient through that period," Green said. "He's a leader. He's a great coach. "It's never easy when there's change. We don't shy away from that as a board." Goodwin's successor will deal with the same challenges, like trying to recruit star players without a secure and comfortable headquarters. Premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, who exited their respective clubs West Coast and Sydney last year following long stints, are certain to be on Melbourne's wish list. Simpson and Longmire, former teammates at North Melbourne, will appear in their regular Wednesday night slot on Fox Footy's AFL 360 program. It was the 10-word punchline that said everything. As a shocked Simon Goodwin articulated his sacking as Melbourne coach, he delivered a cheeky parting shot that broke the ice of a serious press conference. "Probably what I won't miss is driving down to Casey," Goodwin said when referencing the Demons' outer-suburban training facility. But Melbourne's lack of a permanent, singular home is no laughing matter. "Without a doubt it's a challenge," Goodwin said. "(Ex-Demons player and current scout) Kelly O'Donnell is probably the longest serving person here and he's been waiting since 1979. "Hopefully Caulfield will get up and running soon and everyone will be under one roof." Melbourne's football and administrative operations are split like no other club in the AFL. The Demons share their training between Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, about 53km from Melbourne's CBD, and Gosch's Paddock in the Olympic Park precinct. Melbourne's administrative staff operate out of AAMI Park, and some still out of offices at their long-time home ground of the MCG nearby. The Demons were based out of the Junction Oval in St Kilda from from 1986 until 2009, but moved because they were forced to train elsewhere in the off-season to accommodate cricket. Melbourne want to build a new home at the Caulfield Racecourse, but that is not guaranteed to be approved, nor is there any timeline on when it may happen. The Demons were able to end their 57-year premiership drought in 2021 when the whole competition was disrupted and unsettled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Melbourne president Brad Green was adamant the club had given Goodwin the best chance to achieve sustained success. "These last five or six years, Simon has been resilient through that period," Green said. "He's a leader. He's a great coach. "It's never easy when there's change. We don't shy away from that as a board." Goodwin's successor will deal with the same challenges, like trying to recruit star players without a secure and comfortable headquarters. Premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, who exited their respective clubs West Coast and Sydney last year following long stints, are certain to be on Melbourne's wish list. Simpson and Longmire, former teammates at North Melbourne, will appear in their regular Wednesday night slot on Fox Footy's AFL 360 program.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Won't miss it': Demons remain without permanent home
It was the 10-word punchline that said everything. As a shocked Simon Goodwin articulated his sacking as Melbourne coach, he delivered a cheeky parting shot that broke the ice of a serious press conference. "Probably what I won't miss is driving down to Casey," Goodwin said when referencing the Demons' outer-suburban training facility. But Melbourne's lack of a permanent, singular home is no laughing matter. "Without a doubt it's a challenge," Goodwin said. "(Ex-Demons player and current scout) Kelly O'Donnell is probably the longest serving person here and he's been waiting since 1979. "Hopefully Caulfield will get up and running soon and everyone will be under one roof." Melbourne's football and administrative operations are split like no other club in the AFL. The Demons share their training between Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, about 53km from Melbourne's CBD, and Gosch's Paddock in the Olympic Park precinct. Melbourne's administrative staff operate out of AAMI Park, and some still out of offices at their long-time home ground of the MCG nearby. The Demons were based out of the Junction Oval in St Kilda from from 1986 until 2009, but moved because they were forced to train elsewhere in the off-season to accommodate cricket. Melbourne want to build a new home at the Caulfield Racecourse, but that is not guaranteed to be approved, nor is there any timeline on when it may happen. The Demons were able to end their 57-year premiership drought in 2021 when the whole competition was disrupted and unsettled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Melbourne president Brad Green was adamant the club had given Goodwin the best chance to achieve sustained success. "These last five or six years, Simon has been resilient through that period," Green said. "He's a leader. He's a great coach. "It's never easy when there's change. We don't shy away from that as a board." Goodwin's successor will deal with the same challenges, like trying to recruit star players without a secure and comfortable headquarters. Premiership coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire, who exited their respective clubs West Coast and Sydney last year following long stints, are certain to be on Melbourne's wish list. Simpson and Longmire, former teammates at North Melbourne, will appear in their regular Wednesday night slot on Fox Footy's AFL 360 program.
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles raring to go for bumper 10th season of AFLW
Fremantle are genuine premiership contenders and West Coast are coming with a rush. It makes this season — the competition's 10th anniversary — the biggest ever for Western Australia's AFLW clubs. The captain of every club met in Melbourne on Tuesday for the league's annual media day. Fremantle skipper Ange Stannett was pictured with the premiership cup that her side is genuinely expected to compete for this season. West Coast's Charlie Thomas — who was named co-captain this year alongside fellow star Bella Lewis — was at the event for the first time. For the Eagles, who are yet to play finals for the first time, holding up the cup feels a while away. But anything is possible with trailblazing coach Daisy Pearce. West Coast will play on the season's opening night next Thursday in a prime-time match at Leederville Oval. 'It's super exciting, Thursday night footy will be really good,' Thomas said. 'To play Gold Coast, especially at home, is super special. We're really looking forward to that. To play at bigger grounds is really exciting too.' Thomas was at her first captain's day and said she was in awe of AFLW greats such as North Melbourne's Jasmine Garner, Richmond's Katie Brennan and new Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher. 'It was pretty surreal, surrounded by some of the league's best players,' she said. The Dockers kick off their season against Port Adelaide on Sunday, August 17. The returns of Stannett — who missed her entire first year as captain with an anterior cruciate ligament injury — and Kiara Bowers after pregnancy have been a massive boost to Fremantle a year after they returned to the finals. 'I'm very excited, 12 months is a pretty long time,' Stannett said. 'It's the moment that you think about during the entire rehab process. It's what pushes you through.' Stannett returns to a team already stacked with stars such as All-Australian ruck Mim Strom, Hayley Miller, Aisling McCarthy and Gabby Newton. But despite that, opposition skippers snubbed the Dockers in their finals predictions. A whopping 10 captains picked North Melbourne to go back-to-back, while six tipped last year's runners-up Brisbane. One of the 18 captains picked the Dockers to win the McClelland Trophy for the best performing club across the men's and women's competitions.
