Cox is believed to want another two-year coaching deal to stay at his home club. Senior assistant Justin Longmuir is also fronting a shaky future as Simpson and Eagles management fully review coaching and football operations. One certainty to join West Coast's coaching ranks is Hawthorn playing great and one-season midfielder Sam Mitchell. The four-times Hawks premiership ace is committed under his four-year contract terms at West Coast to step straight into an assistant coaching appointment after his retirement. Mitchell, 34, appears headed to control a West Coast midfield battery expected to fire with far greater potency next year with the highly anticipated return of powerhouse ruckman and clearances gun Nic Naitanui.

Simpson was coy on potential changes to his coaching staff in an extensive interview with Fox Footy. But the besieged Eagles boss did confirm his coaching staff is headed for review after their last game. "All these things aren't up for discussion at the moment," Simpson said. "They're for internal debate at the end of the season. "We think we can complement our coaching staff in some way.

"I understand the speculation. But this is not the platform to be talking about our coaches and who's in and who's out." Simpson will search the AFL network for new midfielders given the departure of Mitchell and long-serving champion Matt Priddis, who bow out after Sunday's do-or-die clash with the Crows. The head coach identified emerging pair Elliot Yeo and Liam Duggan for significantly more midfield game-time next season. "There's no doubt we've been inconsistent in the midfield and the balance of our side is something we're looking at," he said. "With no ruckman for most of the year with Nic and Scotty Lycett not being available, we probably haven't seen the full potential with what they can do.

"We think we've got some players that can give us some growth with someone like Elliot Yeo getting through the midfield and Liam Duggan who are playing back at the moment. "No doubt we're going to have to draft and look at the trade period and free agency and get the best out of there."