By Peter Douglas, Russell Bennett
Emerald favourite son and Carlton legend Kade Simpson achieved a major milestone on Saturday 30 June, reaching the coveted 300-game club.
After learning his craft as an Emerald Football Club junior, Simpson has slowly but surely carved out a remarkable career that has seen him become one of the most widely respected players in the AFL.
Though, it wasn’t smooth sailing for him in the early days.
Simpson’s first three games, where he didn’t register a single disposal, have been widely spoken about in the lead-up to his big occasion.
On the eve of his 300th match, Simpson clearly hasn’t forgotten his roots either, turning out to a function at Emerald Football Club, at the Chandler Reserve on Saturday 23 June, held in honour of his achievement.
“In that first year, I didn’t get a lot of time on the ground,” Simpson said.
“They didn’t rotate like they do these days; so, in my second game, I played two minutes and spent the rest of the game on the bench.
“In my second year, I played three more games but finished the year with a broken hand and missed the last couple of months of the season.
“But once I got that self-belief that I belonged in the senior side, that went a long way to my form picking up and (then Carlton coach) Dennis (Pagan) giving me the confidence to just go out there and play my style of football.
“He always wanted me to take the game on, and he’d tell me if I got caught holding the ball, he didn’t care – he wanted me to keep doing it.”
Simpson, now 34, admits Pagan was hard on his players, but says he learned a lot about hard work while playing under him.
After nailing down a regular spot in the Blues’ senior side, Simpson went on to play 158 consecutive games at the level – from Round 15, 2005, to Round 12, 2012.
He says his ability to play through injuries, and perform at the high level, was also something he learned under Pagan.
Joining Simpson at the event was two of his Carlton teammates, who, in a quirk of fate, had also plied their trade with the Emerald Football Club, Cam O’Shea and Matthew Lobbe.
The esteem they hold him in is obvious – despite the cheek that comes along with it.
“He’s the oldest and grumpiest at the club,” Lobbe said of Simpson.
“He’s a bit of a dad around the playing group, so that’s pretty entertaining!”
Simpson told the Carlton website he is truly humbled to be included among the club’s greats to have reached 300 games.
“It’s embarrassing really to be named alongside these sorts of guys … not only legends of Carlton but legends of the AFL,” Simpson said.
“But I’m sure, once I’m retired, that this is something I’ll look back on and hold pretty dear to my heart.”
Simpson has become just the second player from what is now the AFL Yarra Ranges competition to play 300 VFL/AFL games.
The other being Yarra junction’s ‘Captain Blood’, Jack Dyer.
Carlton’s games record holders:
*Craig Bradley: 375
*Bruce Doull: 356
*John Nicholls: 328
*Stephen Silvagni: 312
*Kade Simpson: 300
