Josh Simpson

[strobe00]

Wouldn't trust him as far as i could kick him either, but now he is VERY substantial he is attempting to do some of what he knows is the right thing - far more than others in similar positions would even contemplate. I am still undetermined whether he is just spending to image massage (ie hope to get back more than it costs) or truly wanting and prepared to make a difference.

I dunno. I can understand why fmg's proactive stance on aboriginal training and employment might be a smart way of ensuring land access, but as an approach to shrinking the gap it does seem like a promising approach.

He's doing a fair bit of work on trying to eliminate slavery. Harder to see that as a business thing.

I'll give the bloke the benefit of the doubt. They're worthy causes, both of them... and very, very difficult ones to solve. Even if his motivations are self serving, the benefits that are likely to result from progress in the areas are still real.

 

[Purple Maverick]

FYI - I apologise for the length of this post, but I have been biting my tongue for months on this issue. However, after seeing the press statement released by freo today, I can know longer hold back. There has been a systemic failure on freo's part and it appears core issues surrounding Josh's situation are not being resolved. FFC are doing the best they can and we are the best in the AFL in this regard, but things do not appear to be improving for Josh.

It really is a difficult task to try and keep Josh on the track of being a professional football.

I would say his key desire is purely to play at the highest level for fremantle FC and being looked at by his mob as a role model and eventual elder.

As previously mentioned, incentives such as the attractive salary, 'footballers lifestyle', networking/mingling with the social elite of Australia, direct entry into university, being looked after at clubs/pubs/restuarants, free clothes from upcoming fashion designers, free cars, air Jordan's shoes, etc are of very little value to him. He lived in a poor, isolated remote community in Australia, we are not talking third world, we are talking fourth world.

Unfortunately it is still difficult for the other freo black fellas from metro and regional areas areas to understand the full extent of Josh's challenges. It is now evident, they are not cutting the mustard in being an adequate support base.

I maybe in the minority, but I believe Son-Son was in the wrong publicly talking about Josh and calling out the fact that being a professional footballer is a great opportunity for him to look after his family.

I would not believe Josh thinks that being a professional footballer is great for his family, he is away from his mob and his land. He doesn't have that connection to country when playing footy in the city, he can't speak his language, he can't hunt roos and goannas, he can't go walkabout, he can't start a fire, he can't sleep out bush and stare at the stars, he can't attend corroborees, etc. These are some of the things black fellas value in the remote ATSI communities. In the back of Josh's mind he maybe thinking that the city lifestyle isn't as great as his Yalgoo lifestyle.

I am not sure what exactly can be done to help Josh become that professional footballer we all want to see, but, I have been doing considerable work focusing on indigenous cultural disintegration repair and transgenerational stolen generation effects, I would think some of our learnings could be applied to Josh's scenario.

Being away from Yalgoo for considerable periods of time josh will require continual sessions of cultural healing just so he can maintain that connection and keep his spirit strong. What framework should be utilised? It all depends on what stage of the journey Josh is going through. Situations where Josh isn't playing for freo tied with the fact he is away from Yalgoo, having very little cultural connection in life resulting in a weak spirit really does spell disaster unfortunately.

Whatever methodology is currently in place is not working. If I was the club I would be moving heaven and earth to get his grand mother to either relocate to perth, or split her time evenly between Yalgoo and Perth. I would also be reaching out to her for advice on how to help Josh.

 

[Alfonz]

Good post above, but I'm not sure it is a failure of the FFC, I'd think they are maybe in an impossible situation.

I'd say the reason that nothing appears to be working is that nothing actually will work. He has to live in the city and train relentlessly if he wants to be an AFL footballer. If he can't handle it, then there is nothing wrong with that, but I'm not sure the club can do anything about it. They're trying, but it might be futile.

What are we supposed to do? Let him live in Yalgoo from Monday-Friday, then transport him down each week to play? That might have a chance to work for playing in the WAFL, but would not seem anywhere near feasible for AFL.

 

[FreoMonocle]

Not every issue that an indigenous person faces is because they are indigenous.

I'm an out there bleeding heart. But, no two people are the same, even from the same family/community.

It could just be that he is struggling because he is young. Maybe he struggles to concentrate or be tied down, or is sleep deprived due to having young kids in the house. Maybe, he likes playing footy but all the club related "hassles" are just things he doesn't buy into personally - I told a few bosses where to go when I was young.

All I know us that I personally think it's a shame that Josh and the club aren't on the same page Maybe he is best off in the country league or WAFL and just doesn't fit AFL - maybe he just doesn't fit in at the dockers but would thrive at another club?

Maybe he comes back to the club from an almighty preseason a half year older and is mature enough for the big expectations and blazes his way into the Freo history books - here is hoping.

 

[DockerLand1]

Good post above, but I'm not sure it is a failure of the FFC, I'd think they are maybe in an impossible situation.

I'd say the reason that nothing appears to be working is that nothing actually will work. He has to live in the city and train relentlessly if he wants to be an AFL footballer. If he can't handle it, then there is nothing wrong with that, but I'm not sure the club can do anything about it. They're trying, but it might be futile.

What are we supposed to do? Let him live in Yalgoo from Monday-Friday, then transport him down each week to play? That might have a chance to work for playing in the WAFL, but would not seem anywhere near feasible for AFL.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

You see, I was going to like this, quote it, and proclaim that I consider myself as lucky as you. Then I remembered my 7 and 4 year old daughters who will have to battle with our technological 'progress' (while I ironically rely on a form of this progress to write this message)...

Yeah, my partner is expecting in two weeks. I guess that's my immunity gone too. There's no end to stuff to stress about.

 

[slicedndiced]

FYI - I apologise for the length of this post, but I have been biting my tongue for months on this issue. However, after seeing the press statement released by freo today, I can know longer hold back. There has been a systemic failure on freo's part and it appears core issues surrounding Josh's situation are not being resolved. FFC are doing the best they can and we are the best in the AFL in this regard, but things do not appear to be improving for Josh.

It really is a difficult task to try and keep Josh on the track of being a professional football.

I would say his key desire is purely to play at the highest level for fremantle FC and being looked at by his mob as a role model and eventual elder.

As previously mentioned, incentives such as the attractive salary, 'footballers lifestyle', networking/mingling with the social elite of Australia, direct entry into university, being looked after at clubs/pubs/restuarants, free clothes from upcoming fashion designers, free cars, air Jordan's shoes, etc are of very little value to him. He lived in a poor, isolated remote community in Australia, we are not talking third world, we are talking fourth world.

Unfortunately it is still difficult for the other freo black fellas from metro and regional areas areas to understand the full extent of Josh's challenges. It is now evident, they are not cutting the mustard in being an adequate support base.

I maybe in the minority, but I believe Son-Son was in the wrong publicly talking about Josh and calling out the fact that being a professional footballer is a great opportunity for him to look after his family.

I would not believe Josh thinks that being a professional footballer is great for his family, he is away from his mob and his land. He doesn't have that connection to country when playing footy in the city, he can't speak his language, he can't hunt roos and goannas, he can't go walkabout, he can't start a fire, he can't sleep out bush and stare at the stars, he can't attend corroborees, etc. These are some of the things black fellas value in the remote ATSI communities. In the back of Josh's mind he maybe thinking that the city lifestyle isn't as great as his Yalgoo lifestyle.

I am not sure what exactly can be done to help Josh become that professional footballer we all want to see, but, I have been doing considerable work focusing on indigenous cultural disintegration repair and transgenerational stolen generation effects, I would think some of our learnings could be applied to Josh's scenario.

Being away from Yalgoo for considerable periods of time josh will require continual sessions of cultural healing just so he can maintain that connection and keep his spirit strong. What framework should be utilised? It all depends on what stage of the journey Josh is going through. Situations where Josh isn't playing for freo tied with the fact he is away from Yalgoo, having very little cultural connection in life resulting in a weak spirit really does spell disaster unfortunately.

Whatever methodology is currently in place is not working. If I was the club I would be moving heaven and earth to get his grand mother to either relocate to perth, or split her time evenly between Yalgoo and Perth. I would also be reaching out to her for advice on how to help Josh.

Brilliant post and I agree 100%. And yep, I remember you stating that you're a blackfella, so kudos for a measured and sincere post. I'm sure that some of the earlier posts on this where many people just ignorantly said, "harden up" would have had you reaching through the monitor to choke the stupid out of them, like me.

And yes, I do agree that there has been a systemic failure by the club on this issue and they are frantically playing catch up now. This issue with remote youth is hardly new and perhaps the club should have put more preventative measures into place beforehand. However, it's too late now, we are where we are, for better or worse, and let's hope that everyone learns from the situation.

Having his grandmother move to Perth is an interesting one as it then places her in exactly the position that you describe Josh being. There is also the issue of her cultural responsibilities as a senior woman, and the inevitable, (tragic), issue of her being one of the few sober/straight
care-givers to many children in the town. Win/lose situation

I think that one of the major things that needs to be done, and I bloody hope that the club is facilitating it, is a big sit-down with his mob to discuss ways of "letting him go" from culture for a while and getting the old boys and girls to give the blood-suckers a flogging, (yes, a flogging).

It is a very sad situation all round and although I am eternally optimistic on such things, (probably because I have witnessed so much misery and negativity),this will be a hard sell for everybody involved.

What really eats at my guts is where Josh will finish if all of this goes pear-shaped. I honestly don't believe that I could handle seeing him sitting under a tree drinking goon with his mates when I go back to Yalgoo

 

[salim malik]

I wonder what Josh actually thinks of Sonson. Did they make that connection. Walters going out to the media to reinforce his career brings security speech suggested he was trying to appeal to get this reinforced by anybody that Josh would listen to.

We asked (as in training watchers) a couple of weeks ago one of the indigenous players as to how Josh was tracking and he said that the indigenous boys had got around Josh but he just wouldnt listen to their advice and he held grave fears for his future as a player.
I didnt want to post that info at that stage in respect to Josh but now this has happened it might help to understand Josh's situation.

 

[Lach72]

Apart from Hilly we've had shit luck with our number one picks since Rhys really

1. Rhys
2. Hill
3. Morabito
4. Pitt
5. Josh
6. Michael

Someone get a rabbit's foot to Michael stat!!!

 

[Lach72]

We asked (as in training watchers) a couple of weeks ago one of the indigenous players as to how Josh was tracking and he said that the indigenous boys had got around Josh but he just wouldnt listen to their advice and he held grave fears for his future as a player.
I didnt want to post that info at that stage in respect to Josh but now this has happened it might help to understand Josh's situation.

It's a shit situation all round.

Work (football) can be the path out...

 

[Freo Shark]

FYI - I apologise for the length of this post, but I have been biting my tongue for months on this issue. However, after seeing the press statement released by freo today, I can know longer hold back. There has been a systemic failure on freo's part and it appears core issues surrounding Josh's situation are not being resolved. FFC are doing the best they can and we are the best in the AFL in this regard, but things do not appear to be improving for Josh.

Brilliant post and I agree 100%. And yep, I remember you stating that you're a blackfella, so kudos for a measured and sincere post. I'm sure that some of the earlier posts on this where many people just ignorantly said, "harden up" would have had you reaching through the monitor to choke the stupid out of them, like me.

Great comments folks!

 

[theGav56]

Apart from Hilly we've had shit luck with our number one picks since Rhys really

1. Rhys
2. Hill
3. Morabito
4. Pitt
5. Josh
6. Michael

Someone get a rabbit's foot to Michael stat!!!

Goes further and is not just about luck. Add in Polak, Dunn, Drum, Murphy, all still in the age-frame to be playing now as poor selections.

 

[clogged]

Apart from Hilly we've had shit luck with our number one picks since Rhys really

1. Rhys
2. Hill
3. Morabito
4. Pitt
5. Josh
6. Michael

Someone get a rabbit's foot to Michael stat!!!

You're forgetting Sheridan.

 

[Lach72]

And James Walker.

Statistically you should be able to nail the first pick more often than not, and Morabito, Pitt and Palmer were unlucky picks...

 

[clogged]

Walker would have been retired by now.

 

[Dudley Leopard]

Goes further and is not just about luck. Add in Polak, Dunn, Drum, Murphy, all still in the age-frame to be playing now as poor selections.

Its been our shrewd late and rookie picks that have saved our bacon. Plus a couple of good trade moves. This is the same as a few other successful clubs ie Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood. First round draft picks are ok to have buts its the picks 20 and onwards that will determine a clubs fate.

 

[beetz]

In comparison to the recent Garlett situation, it seems Josh (and the club) is at the very least willing to do whatever it takes to get himself in the right frame of mind to become an AFL Footballer. Kudos.

 

[clogged]

Its been our shrewd late and rookie picks that have saved our bacon. Plus a couple of good trade moves. This is the same as a few other successful clubs ie Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood. First round draft picks are ok to have buts its the picks 20 and onwards that will determine a clubs fate.

By contrast - West Coast have "nailed" almost every first round draft pick by virtue of the fact they are still all on the list and playing senior football:

Shannon Hurn - 2005
Mitch Brown - 2006
Chris Masten - 2007
Nick Naitanui - 2008
Brad Sheppard - 2009
Andrew Gaff - 2010
Murray Newman - 2011 (the sole player whose future is in doubt)
N/A (Wellingham) - 2012
Dom Sheed - 2013

 

[Kram]

In comparison to the recent Garlett situation, it seems Josh (and the club) is at the very least willing to do whatever it takes to get himself in the right frame of mind to become an AFL Footballer. Kudos.

Garlett is just an absolute ****wit.

 

[pokerspiv]

Not every issue that an indigenous person faces is because they are indigenous.

Especially this particular issue. There are hundreds of country kids who could have played AFL but instead chose to remain at home. Farmers' kids especially. Many of them can't imagine any life other than farming. I'm no expert on aboriginal culture but I'm willing to bet that, to many aboriginal people, staying with family is more important than money. And playing football with family and lifelong friends is more attractive than playing with a team of relative strangers to many, not just indigenous people.

I'm sure everyone here probably knows someone who plays at an amateur level who is good enough to take money to play elsewhere, but doesn't.

 

[Bicco]

Brilliant post and I agree 100%. And yep, I remember you stating that you're a blackfella, so kudos for a measured and sincere post. I'm sure that some of the earlier posts on this where many people just ignorantly said, "harden up" would have had you reaching through the monitor to choke the stupid out of them, like me.

And yes, I do agree that there has been a systemic failure by the club on this issue and they are frantically playing catch up now. This issue with remote youth is hardly new and perhaps the club should have put more preventative measures into place beforehand. However, it's too late now, we are where we are, for better or worse, and let's hope that everyone learns from the situation.

Having his grandmother move to Perth is an interesting one as it then places her in exactly the position that you describe Josh being. There is also the issue of her cultural responsibilities as a senior woman, and the inevitable, (tragic), issue of her being one of the few sober/straight
care-givers to many children in the town. Win/lose situation

I think that one of the major things that needs to be done, and I bloody hope that the club is facilitating it, is a big sit-down with his mob to discuss ways of "letting him go" from culture for a while and getting the old boys and girls to give the blood-suckers a flogging, (yes, a flogging).

It is a very sad situation all round and although I am eternally optimistic on such things, (probably because I have witnessed so much misery and negativity),this will be a hard sell for everybody involved.

What really eats at my guts is where Josh will finish if all of this goes pear-shaped. I honestly don't believe that I could handle seeing him sitting under a tree drinking goon with his mates when I go back to Yalgoo

Are you guys able to give some indication, without being too specific, of what pressures he is facing? Is it relatives/friends pressuring him to return to country or asking for money? Is there some version of the tall poppy syndrome where he is being chastised for 'becoming a white fella' or something similar?
I have a pretty good understanding of the culture but not so much the family unit and how indigenous hierarchy effects each individual within that group.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Apart from Hilly we've had shit luck with our number one picks since Rhys really

1. Rhys
2. Hill
3. Morabito
4. Pitt
5. Josh
6. Michael

Someone get a rabbit's foot to Michael stat!!!

And James Walker.

Statistically you should be able to nail the first pick more often than not, and Morabito, Pitt and Palmer were unlucky picks...

Pitt and Simpson were probably too high risk, high reward for more liking. I remember the swans recruiter writing an article that they go for the guaranteed player rather than the high risk high reward players, and I think we should do that a bit more and save the speculative pick for later in the draft. The Swans recruiter compared it investing 200k in the stock market, and he pretty much said he would always go with the safe stock pick.

Rhys never really recovered from his knee injury, but his skills were probably never good enough.

Morabito is just plain unlucky, and Tom Sheridan and Michael Apeness have shown enough to say they have a future in the AFL and will probably play 150+ games.

Let us not forget we are having pick at 16+, which in pretty much any other year would be a second round pick.

 

[GilG]

What a brilliant post, Purple Maverick.

Hope you and everyone else will tolerate my outsider view:

When I first read about Josh's leave of absence earlier this evening my time, I was disappointed for him not being able to continue his footy in the near-term.

Now, I'm actually excited for him.

The personal development program Freo described on the website gives him a chance to further grow into his manhood, his cultural identity and his place in the AFL and mainstream Australian society. And while he does that, he has a great job waiting for him at Freo that he can still choose or opt out of.

Let's ask ourselves -- as Coach Lyon loves putting it -- a hard question:

Do we care more about Josh Simpson, the young man, or Josh Simpson the footballer?

I would rather Josh live an authentic, satisfying and meaningful life if it meant never again pulling on the Freo jumper than him to self-destruct helping win us a premiership.

And face it: would the greater society much care about the fate of a 20-year-old, conflicted young man from -- as Purple Maverick put it -- "fourth world conditions" if he weren't a footballer?

Here in the States, believe me, I've seen far too many young star athletes -- many non-white, like Josh and some white -- reach superstardom, then completely flame out early and after their respective clubs kick them to the curb after a few glory years, they end up on drugs, impoverished, incarcerated, or all three. If you're curious, just Google Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Lawrence Taylor, Lenny Dykstra, Ryan Leaf, or Aaron Hernandez.

I don't want Josh to end up like any one of those guys, or even like Liam Jurrah, whose biography I read last year.

I hope this ends up being like a "gap year" for Josh (what we here call a year between high school and university that a student chooses to take time to devote to personal exploration and development).

For the last week, Freo has touted on its website how in tune it is, as a club, with reconciliation and bridging the socioeconomic gap by honoring its Indigenous players and committing to genuine education, sensitivity and compassion.

Beyond the superficial and cosmetic, now's the REAL chance for the club to walk the walk -- honoring Indigenous culture by fully extending its support in this challenging time, to one of its Indigenous employees and fully investing in making this partnership work. Of course, Josh will have to carry his share of the responsibility to meet the team halfway.

Freo has a great chance here to be a pioneer in creating a groundbreaking, cross-cultural partnership and Josh still has a great chance to become a football star for the club he grew up barracking for.

As Coach Lyon also is fond of saying: Where there's crisis, there's opportunity.

 

[clogged]

Pitt and Simpson were probably too high risk, high reward for more liking. I remember the swans recruiter writing an article that they go for the guaranteed player rather than the high risk high reward players, and I think we should do that a bit more and save the speculative pick for later in the draft. The Swans recruiter compared it investing 200k in the stock market, and he pretty much said he would always go with the safe stock pick.

It's strange because the Swans have burned a lot of high draft picks in their time.

 

[go_the_dockers]

It's strange because the Swans have burned a lot of high draft picks in their time.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/wh...oking-the-goodes/story-fnelctok-1226520683504

Here is the article for you reference.