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Josh Simpson

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Yeah, this isn't a total non-issue. If this was Sam Menegola missing a flight you'd see it as total bad luck. But Simpson obviously has issues and that's obvious and, considering his position right now, not entirely important. It is a curious situation.

You have to remember he is from the country – my experience is that Aboriginal kids don't need regimentation because they live a much more open life. I remember blokes rocking up at half-time on a push bike because they weren't used to showing up at 7:30 every Saturday morning and putting the padding on the goals and pegging up a marquee. They were our best players. But it's just a different way of life. I personally find it kind of endearing. It's not even an Aboriginal thing entirely, some kids just don't like the idea of doing things strictly. That doesn't make them lazy or dumb or throwing something away, it just means they live differently.

I think it is an inherent thing. He seemed absolutely chuffed last weekend. On top of the world. Smiling like an idiot. Talking about earning a game. It was good to see and there was no way he was anything but genuinely excited. Him missing this flight is just a part of his lifestyle. Looking after kids, having other things going on... he's not doing it to let down Fremantle.

The thing is, Freo are the only club capable of doing this. You could argue the Hawks and Swans too. But Freo's history with Indigenous guys is something I think we're all pretty proud of. The club is understanding and knows the situation, they knew the gamble and realised his disadvantages and I'm sure these setbacks aren't unexpected even if they are disappointing. What's one spot on a list for potential like him? Maybe he'll pay off, maybe he won't, but the Dockers won't give up until that answer is absolute.
 
I can't find the link now but Bond maintains that he didn't miss the flight. Even worse imo he advised the club that he was unavailable for selection at this time.

I hope Josh can resolve his issues and have a long and spectacular career.

There is a lot at stake here really. Firstly for Josh personally. This is a future for himself and his child on the line here. But also for the club. Wasted first round picks can be club killers. Brodie Grundy went with the next pick.

The club will do all it can and give Josh every chance and it will be down to Josh to utilise that support and give it his best.
 

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raffrox said:
I can't find the link now but Bond maintains that he didn't miss the flight. Even worse imo he advised the club that he was unavailable for selection at this time.
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That's the whole point though, you can't trust anything Bond says about this issue in the media because Simpson was quite clearly expected to be on the flight, at least according to the airport staff.
 
Silent Alarm said:
You have to remember he is from the country – my experience is that Aboriginal kids don't need regimentation because they live a much more open life. I remember blokes rocking up at half-time on a push bike because they weren't used to showing up at 7:30 every Saturday morning and putting the padding on the goals and pegging up a marquee. They were our best players. But it's just a different way of life. I personally find it kind of endearing. It's not even an Aboriginal thing entirely, some kids just don't like the idea of doing things strictly. That doesn't make them lazy or dumb or throwing something away, it just means they live differently.
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Spot on. I've done a lot of work recording and playing with aboriginal musicians over the last 10 years and the first thing you learn is to be flexible with time.
(and as you say, the same thing applies to a lot of non aboriginal musicians! not an industry full of clock watchers ;) )
Unfortunately its not the sort of time management that is going to be tolerated in the AFL environment.
My money is on him to get it together, not because I know anything, just because of what I've seen of him. He looks pretty motivated.
 
Jack_the_Ninja said:
Disappointing to say the least, purely from the perspective of him taking up a spot on your list that some young keen kid could of made a career out of and now will sadly be a waste. These indigenous kids are forcing recruiters to take notice that they are finicky and hard to "make work" and commit to a rigid lifestyle of hard work and ethic, I wouldn't pick one these days if I were a recruiter.
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The afl offers many isolated and in some cases disadvantaged kids an opportunity for a lifestyle and advancement in life that would otherwise be nigh impossible.

He doesn't appear to be involved in any criminal actives and is simply struggling with conforming to the strict confines of a highly professional sport.

Whilst it is believable that a recruiter may have your identified concern (rendall being a case point) to be denied the opportunity to sees the likes of Wirra, rioli, hill x 2, McLeod .......... Would be a crying shame.
 
Jack_the_Ninja said:
Disappointing to say the least, purely from the perspective of him taking up a spot on your list that some young keen kid could of made a career out of and now will sadly be a waste. These indigenous kids are forcing recruiters to take notice that they are finicky and hard to "make work" and commit to a rigid lifestyle of hard work and ethic, I wouldn't pick one these days if I were a recruiter.
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Take a day off and think before you post. Especially on our board.
 

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Remember he wasn't playing. Just the emergency and it was his first time as non playing traveller.

He has come a long way in his time in the game. He has just learned the importance of the non playing traveller.

There are many more things for him to learn and experience. He will make mistakes.
 
Seppo said:
Take a day off and think before you post. Especially on our board.
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I totally disagree with his comments and what a sad landscape the AFL would be if this attitude became common but that is a pretty soft ban. Even for one day. See it as a good opportunity for some education.
 
Freo Shark said:
Thanks Scon, I know what segue means now. I will slowly improve my written expression. :thumbsu:
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segway.jpg
 

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Update to AFL's previous story:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-04-18/simpson-not-a-noshow

Bondy went on 6PR and ran down Josh's discipline on-air.

I am rather pissed off at Freo Management right now, and Bondy in particular. If Josh was a no-show then fine - I trust the club to do the right thing and apply discipline as it best sees fit. But this is now being played out in the media - which is the last f*****g thing that Josh or the club needs frankly.

Bond continuing to comment in the media like he did on 6PR only makes things worse - we all know what level handed, fair, non-biased and objective chaps sports commentators are on the whole, and I'm sure that these events won't be distorted and blown out of proportion as a result! o_O

FFC's needs to learn that shit like this fades from the public's attention pretty quickly if you laugh it off publicly and refuse to comment further. But it's now too late for that - FFC have now put out three partially contradictory statements on the subject and that's just grist for the molehill-to-mountains mill of AFL-related media.

You watch - this whole thing will snowball on Freo now, people will start commenting on everything form Josh's character and personal life, to Fremantle Management, to signs of internal stress in the club's playing group. Every comment from FFC is now just another log thrown on a bonfire of hype.

So many people have put so much work in to helping Josh achieve his best. Bondy's comments on 6PR is just pulling down a lot of their good work. You ALWAYS back your players publicly until you have no option but to cut them, especially in cases like this - and Josh is a million miles from being that bad surely???

Don't feed the trolls FFC, whether they be online-snipers or broadcast's bombastic-buffoons!! Frankly I expected better.

EDIT:

After calming down some and re-listening to Bondy's comments I wish to alter my stance slightly.

On reflection I think Bondy did make an effort to represent the situation accurately and honestly, but just did a pretty sub-par job (To be fair, Bondy is usually pretty tight-lipped, controlled and cautious in his press statements - I just don't think he was very well prepared on this occasion). This whole thing now smacks to me of a lack of internal communication inside the club re: how to handle the press. Bondy did not take into consideration how the wording of his comments might be interpreted and subsequently distorted - plus Josh has clearly put the club under sudden pressure with his actions and the club has responded poorly.

I'm still pissed at how this whole thing is turning out, but to be fair, Bondy is not the only one to blame, and we have still yet to hear any explanation from Josh as to what happened. o_O
 
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Gekko71 said:
Update to AFL's previous story:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-04-18/simpson-not-a-noshow

Bondy went on 6PR and ran down Josh's discipline on-air.

I am rather pissed off at Freo Management right now, and Bondy in particular. If Josh was a no-show then fine - I trust the club to do the right thing and apply discipline as it best sees fit. But this is now being played out in the media - which is the last f*****g thing that Josh or the club needs frankly.

Bond continuing to comment in the media like he did on 6PR only makes things worse - we all know what level handed, fair, non-biased and objective chaps sports commentators are on the whole, and I'm sure that these events won't be distorted and blown out of proportion as a result! o_O

FFC's needs to learn that shit like this fades from the public's attention pretty quickly if you laugh it off publicly and refuse to comment further. But it's now too late for that - FFC have now put out three partially contradictory statements on the subject and that's just grist for the molehill-to-mountains mill of AFL-related media.

You watch - this whole thing will snowball on Freo now, people will start commenting on everything form Josh's character and personal life, to Fremantle Management, to signs of internal stress in the club's playing group. Every comment from FFC is now just another log thrown on a bonfire of hype.

So many people have put so much work in to helping Josh achieve his best. Bondy's comments on 6PR is just pulling down a lot of their good work. You ALWAYS back your players publicly until you have no option but to cut them, especially in cases like this - and Josh is a million miles from being that bad surely???

Don't feed the trolls FFC, whether the be online-snipers or broadcast's bombastic-buffoons!! Frankly I expected better.
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Gotta agree with most of this, but I feel that it will die down fairly quickly.

I am surprised and disappointed with our handling of this so far, but I am still awaiting comment from Lyon who will, hopefully, cut through all of the bullshit and innuendo and put this to bed.

The most surprising thing for me is how we have probably been the most successful "in-house" club in the AFL for some years now; eg the Lyon coup, FA scoops etc, so for this to have been handled so sloppily is highly unusual.
 
The other 'coups' were planned;they had to think on their feet cos this one blindsided everyone.I still reckon they will have blown their own guidelines which Lyon made clear when Zacattack knackered his knee "first thing we do is support the player".
Michael Prior on 720 has just said the issues are personal and the club will work through it with Josh.
 
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