Adam Simpson, head coach of the West Coast Eagles, has criticized the Australian Football League (AFL) for its past management of the soft cap, particularly concerning player welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking on AFL 360, Simpson expressed frustration that coaches’ concerns were not adequately addressed when the league reduced the soft cap, which governs certain player-related expenses.

Simpson said that despite raising issues related to mental health support and overall player care, AFL authorities did not take their input into consideration. He referenced comments from Luke Beveridge, the Western Bulldogs coach, who has also spoken publicly about challenges within the game’s structure and athlete wellbeing. “They didn’t listen to a thing that we presented,” Simpson remarked, highlighting a perceived disconnect between AFL leadership and coaching staff during this period.

Former Sydney Swans coach John Longmire echoed similar sentiments in discussions about the financial limits imposed by the soft cap. On the same program, Longmire revealed that he repeatedly sought to negotiate with the AFL to have psychologists’ fees excluded from the cap to better support players’ mental health needs. “There were a number of opportunities that I had to speak to the AFL to put psychologists’ costs outside the cap,” he explained.

The AFL recently mandated the appointment of full-time psychologists within clubs, a move seen as responding to ongoing concerns about mental health disclosures following the investigation into Elijah Hollands, a Brisbane Lions player. The league’s decision reflects growing recognition of the importance of psychological support services in elite sport environments.

These developments underscore tension between coaching staff and AFL administrators over how financial regulations impact player welfare. While the league has taken steps to enhance mental health provisions, some coaches believe previous opportunities to address these issues more effectively were missed. The ongoing dialogue highlights the complex balance between maintaining salary controls and ensuring comprehensive support for athletes’ wellbeing in Australian rules football.