West Coast are contemplating parting ways with senior coach Adam Simpson and paying out his contract, with the club board making a call on the coach’s position over the next two weeks.

A source close to the discussions confirmed that the club board would decide soon whether to continue with Simpson.

Simpson was fully aware of the situation and wanted to do what was in the best interests of the Eagles, according to the well-placed source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity surrounding the coach’s position.

Simpson still wanted to continue coaching into 2024, the source said, but was aware that the board’s decision was likely to be made just before the season ends or just afterwards. The view was that a decision had not been made yet, but that his removal is being considered is a major shift from the club’s previous stance.

Simpson, who coached West Coast to the 2018 premiership and is in his 10th season as senior coach, is contracted for the next two seasons and removing him would cost the Eagles a massive payout.

There is the prospect of an even greater cost if the club is forced to pay a tax for exceeding the AFL’s soft cap.

The Eagles had indicated that he would coach into 2024 earlier this year in response to the team’s dismal results – they have lost five games by more than 100 points this year alone. But Simpson’s hold on his job has loosened over the past week after their 101-point loss in the Perth derby against rivals Fremantle.

The Eagles had shown more fight in their previous two games, when they beat North Melbourne and came within a point of upsetting Essendon.