Kade Simpson
Encyclopedia
Kade Simpson is an Australian rules football
er, currently playing with the Carlton Football Club
in the Australian Football League
.
"Simmo" was drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 AFL Draft
. He was Carlton's first pick in that year's draft, after the club was stripped of its higher selections as penalty for salary cap infringements. Carlton were so fortunate to have picked Simpson in the first place anyway, given his skills were immediately apparent, but he did not have enough weight to play regular seniors in his first two seasons; even now, his weight is a relatively light 77kg. He played primarily for Carlton's , the Northern Bullants
, in his first two years, and on his few selections in the Carlton senior team, received so little ground time that he did not have a disposal in his first three games.
Simpson first broke into the senior team as a regular in the latter half of 2005. Still eligible for the AFL Rising Star in his third season on the list, Simpson was nominated in Round 18. He played nine of the last 10 games of the season, missing one game through injury, and his pace and skill began to attract attention.
Simpson took a big step up in the 2006 season, being elevated to the leadership group and running 4th in the best and fairest. He played every game, mainly as a running link-man from half-back. He finished in the top 5 in the AFL
for running bounce
s, which was typical of his rebound play, averaged 19 disposals with a maximum of 30, and eleven goals. This style of running play prompted Kevin Sheedy to select Simpson for the Australian International Rules team
for the 2006 tour of Ireland, and Mick Malthouse
to do likewise for in 2008, a series in which he won the Jim Stynes Medal.
By 2007, Simpson had emerged as one of the leaders of the club. He captained the Blues between Rounds 14 and 19 during 2007, in the absence of regular captain and vice-captain Lance Whitnall
and Nick Stevens
, and has been vice-captain to Chris Judd
since Stevens' retirement.
In 2010, Kade Simpson had arguably his best season for the Carlton Football Club, polling nine Brownlow votes (Second for Carlton, behind medal-winner Chris Judd). The most noticeable feature of his performances during the season was his tackling ability, because on 12 occasions he laid five or more tackles.
Simpson is the current Carlton Football Club record holder for most consecutive games played. He has played every match since Round 15, 2005, and passed Jim Francis
's previous club record of 142 matches in the First Elimination Final, 2011.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, currently playing with the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
"Simmo" was drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 AFL Draft
2002 AFL Draft
The 2002 AFL Draft consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and the elevation of rookies. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.In 2002...
. He was Carlton's first pick in that year's draft, after the club was stripped of its higher selections as penalty for salary cap infringements. Carlton were so fortunate to have picked Simpson in the first place anyway, given his skills were immediately apparent, but he did not have enough weight to play regular seniors in his first two seasons; even now, his weight is a relatively light 77kg. He played primarily for Carlton's , the Northern Bullants
Northern Bullants
Northern Blues Football Club is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston and currently playing in the Victorian Football League representing the central and outer areas of Melbourne...
, in his first two years, and on his few selections in the Carlton senior team, received so little ground time that he did not have a disposal in his first three games.
Simpson first broke into the senior team as a regular in the latter half of 2005. Still eligible for the AFL Rising Star in his third season on the list, Simpson was nominated in Round 18. He played nine of the last 10 games of the season, missing one game through injury, and his pace and skill began to attract attention.
Simpson took a big step up in the 2006 season, being elevated to the leadership group and running 4th in the best and fairest. He played every game, mainly as a running link-man from half-back. He finished in the top 5 in the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
for running bounce
Running bounce
A running bounce, or simply bounce, is a skill in the sport of Australian rules football when a player, while running, bounces the ball on the ground and back to himself.-The Skill:...
s, which was typical of his rebound play, averaged 19 disposals with a maximum of 30, and eleven goals. This style of running play prompted Kevin Sheedy to select Simpson for the Australian International Rules team
Australia international rules football team
This article concerns the men's team; for information on the Australian women's team, see Australia women's international rules football team....
for the 2006 tour of Ireland, and Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
to do likewise for in 2008, a series in which he won the Jim Stynes Medal.
By 2007, Simpson had emerged as one of the leaders of the club. He captained the Blues between Rounds 14 and 19 during 2007, in the absence of regular captain and vice-captain Lance Whitnall
Lance Whitnall
Lance Whitnall is a former Australian rules footballer, and the ex-captain of the Carlton Football Club.-Early career :...
and Nick Stevens
Nick Stevens
Nick Stevens is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Originally from St Marys in the VMFL, Stevens was recruited in the 1997 AFL Draft to the Port Adelaide Football Club where he became a very prominent outside midfielder...
, and has been vice-captain to Chris Judd
Chris Judd
Christopher Dylan "Chris" Judd is a professional Australian rules footballer and current captain of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
since Stevens' retirement.
In 2010, Kade Simpson had arguably his best season for the Carlton Football Club, polling nine Brownlow votes (Second for Carlton, behind medal-winner Chris Judd). The most noticeable feature of his performances during the season was his tackling ability, because on 12 occasions he laid five or more tackles.
Simpson is the current Carlton Football Club record holder for most consecutive games played. He has played every match since Round 15, 2005, and passed Jim Francis
Jim Francis
Jim Francis is a former Australian rules footballer and coach in the Victorian Football League.After playing 61 games for Hawthorn Francis made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in Round 9 of the 1934 season. He retired as a player at the end of the 1943 season and was appointed coach of the...
's previous club record of 142 matches in the First Elimination Final, 2011.