Player Watch #12: Jy Simpkin [Part II] - staying at North in 2026 + won't feature in leadership group as Larkey set to be named captain

[perplexed]

So at the outset here I want to acknowledge the old adage that "stats lie" and I fully accept different people may interpret stats differently. I also don't think you can 'only' judge a player by their stats. However, you specifically asked about the stats so I'll explain.

For our midfield, I look at things like disposals to turnover/clanger ratio, clearances, tackles, score involvements, etc.

To assess eligibility, I included all players with a minimum CBA% of 30%, and all players who played at least 15 games. That means Phillips/Wardlaw technically not included, and neither is McKercher who didn't reach the necessary number of CBAs.

So a few examples of what that looks like in practice;

• Simpkin had the second highest TOG% for all NMFC players who had at least 30% CBA this year (Sheezel was 1st), but of those players, Simpkin had by far the lowest average tackles per game at 3.2 (the next lowest was Parker on 4.3).
• Simpkin's disposals to TOG% ratio was the worst of all eligible midfielders (only Phillips/Wardlaw were worse, but I excluded them due to too few games played).
• Simpkin had the worse clanger-to-disposal ratio of all eligible midfielders except LDU. By way of comparison, Simpkin averaged 22.1 disposals a game and had 76 total clangers for the season. Sheezel averaged 29.3 disposals a game and had a total of 81 clangers for the season.
• Simpkin's clearance to disposal ratio was the 2nd worst of all eligible midfielders (Sheezel was last, unless you include Wardlaw then he was last).
• Similarly, Simpkin had the worse turnover-to-disposal ratio of all eligible midfielders too (only Wardlaw was worse, but as noted above I excluded him and Phillips for too few games played).
• There were a few good categories for Simpkin; his score involvement to disposal ratio was 3rd best of our midfielders behind LDU and Parker (Powell was last of eligible midfielders). His I50-to-disposal ratio was 2nd best among eligible midfielders (Parker last, Powell second last).

That's the kind of stuff I look at.

That's all fine, but I would say that all these numbers are role dependent. Jy spent more time at half-forward than the others, which is reflected in his stats. You are also missing metres gained. Despite playing mostly half-forward, Jy was highest for our mids in this, which also explains his higher turnovers per possession. That is, if you kick the ball further it is more likely to be turned over. It also suggests he was working harder than the others in transition.

 

[zoomba23]

So, no word on Simpkin leaving?

Wishful imo.

No itk intel, just vibes. Just struggle to see it

 

[Ashley B]

Can’t see anyone taking on that contract without help from us .He is not Christian Petracca

5

Christian Petracca

Age

29

Ht

187cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.4

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.5

4star

D

24.4

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

14.0

5star

M

3.5

3star

T

3.6

4star

CL

3.4

4star

D

19.0

5star

K

7.8

3star

HB

11.2

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.0

4star

.

 

[Passmore]

Is Merlin007 getting on the pinot again tonight?

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

Im hearing Sydney or GWS.

 

[Merlin007]

Is Merlin007 getting on the pinot again tonight?

More tactical insights incoming

 

[giantroo]

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Media must be bored this week and just recycling drivel from old news.

Any of the 17 (18 incl Tassie) would have put in a seriously bid by now. Too expensive and how much value will he add to their team over the next 4 years?

 

[Flawed Genius]

Im hearing Sydney or GWS.

How it always should have been. Simpkin and Florent together at last

 

[Zondor]

Im hearing Sydney or GWS.

I have to laugh. I heard a whisper that GWS could be a new home for Simpkin last year. I took that news with multiple grains of salt. :stern look

 

[Zondor]

So anyway are we sure the only reason that Simpkin wants to “explore his options” has to do with a lack of midfield minutes? :stern look

 

[spicerFanClub]

So anyway are we sure the only reason that Simpkin wants to “explore his options” has to do with a lack of midfield minutes? :stern look

Imagine it'd be blasted on every media page if there was a sniff it was anything else. Never miss a chance to punt North.

 

[amaz199]

*Essendon are the only suitor I'm hearing.

But yeah, that's a grim reality lol.

 

[Zondor]

Imagine it'd be blasted on every media page if there was a sniff it was anything else. Never miss a chance to punt North.

Well Sclubs, the guys on Footy Furnace were “Sniffing”. :stern look

 

[North1411]

Well they did their research, he was co-captain last year, outright captain this year. Nice to know the level of effort they put in

 

[giantroo]

 

[Flawed Genius]

Is he daring Jy to make a request?

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Is he daring Jy to make a request?

 

[Zondor]

Is he daring Jy to make a request?

Well he would need a team to want him first. :stern look

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

So apparently there hasn't been a trade request.

 

[jay317]

Bradles telling old mate Jy no one else wants him

 

[Zondor]

Well at a minimum we strip this Turkey of the Captaincy. He’ll soon get it. :stern look

 

[Cyber_punk]

Bradles telling old mate Jy no one else wants him

No interest from anyone says Rawlings.

That would be a blow to the ego.

Bit of a reality check for the skipper.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

No interest from anyone says Rawlings.

That would be a blow to the ego.

Bit of a reality check for the skipper.

The only change I can see here aside from Jy losing the Captaincy, is Jy gets a new Sports Manager and a watch to work on his timing.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

No interest from anyone says Rawlings.

That would be a blow to the ego.

Bit of a reality check for the skipper.

F*cking stupid that he let this out of the bag without any guarantees.