Toast The Simpson

[Juddernaut08]

Of the Kade variety.

It wasn't too long ago (last two years actually) that I was arguing with my fellow blues mate whether Kade was one of our better midfielders.

We both agreed that he gave us important leadership during our 'dark-times' as stand-in captain, and that he sometimes used his burst speed to kick running goals off his left from right on 50m.

My mate's main criticism was that too often Kade would mark on a wing, or sometimes in the middle; and decide to hold the ball up. This slowed down the play and gave opposition time to restructure and man-up. This was a problem that Bower used to do as well; and that ****** Cloke still does today. (seriously Cloke needs to handball off!)

Now it seems Kade has regained that burst speed to kick running goals; but has also gained the confidence in his own speed and evasive ability to play on, run, create and break down the opposition zones with his running ability.

Not every player can eradicate their major weaknesses like Simmo has and this has really increased his importance to our midfield.


So here's to Simpson!

 

[Gabagool]

Couldn't argee more mate, Simo is having a cracker of a season! Good speed and good skills. Just adds more to our midfield. Definately one of our most under-rated players.

 

[TheRedPill]

Always looking to take the game on and usually pretty successful at doing so. Important that he does this as we have a habit of becoming pretty static at times.

 

[Hayashi_62]

This is definitely his best season. Love his goals on the left.

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

Of the Kade variety.

It wasn't too long ago (last two years actually) that I was arguing with my fellow blues mate whether Kade was one of our better midfielders.

It was as early as the beginning of this year that people on this board were trash talking him. I rate him enormously highly, as much for his leadership as his skills. Love him to bits, always gives his all

 

[DamianBis]

I love the fact that he's got a right foot now... before this year he never went on his right.. Now he's confident enough to kick on his right when he has to.

 

[Thrawn]

I love the fact that he's got a right foot now...

Yeah, peg legs just don't cut it any more.

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

I love the fact that he's got a right foot now... before this year he never went on his right.. Now he's confident enough to kick on his right when he has to.

Forgot to mention that, spot on. Although I'm still not comfortable when he uses it, it's definately improved a hell of a lot.

Speaking of improved kicking efficiency, how about bloody Carazzo? Used to be the worst kick in our team, his disposal has improved 10-fold I reckon. Especially his shots on goal. He's been drilling them from everywhere lately

 

[BlueYoss]

Simpson eh?

 

[CranePooleSchmidt]

Top thread,

I've really loved his work this year. I think it also helps that tagging Simmo wouldn't figure into any of the opposition coaches' minds due to our established stars now.

But he's definitely improved in his risk-taking as well. One thing that the blues do well is to run to assist, and to provide options for each other and I think this has helped Simpson as well.

Not trying to take anything from Simpson; but his improvement is a great testament to the rest of our guys as well.

 

[mediumsizered]

I love the fact that he's got a right foot now...

Credit to Richard Pratt for making us financially strong enough to be able to afford prostheses for those players who previously only had one foot.

 

[BlueSnake]

Agree with all the comment thus far, and I'll add that yesterday, one of the most pleasing things about his game for mine was that early on when we were really flat and lethargic it was Simmo that was really attacking and tackling with intensity.

 

[Hammer Smith]

Nothing more enjoyable than seeing Simpson running forward, swinging on to his left foot, lining 'em up from 40m out, and drilling it home!

It has been great to see this from him on several occasions this season and I really hope he can continue to build on his good form leading into the Finals.

 

[blueblood25]

Simmo has become such a star, he deserves VC more than Gibbs IMO.

 

[Mike_blues]

gotta love the simo

 

[silky_blues]

I think my main memory of simo this season was in the st.kilda game, i think it was the second quarter when we still were 3-4 goals down that simo gathered the ball in the back pocket and broke a few tackles and really took the game on to kick start our comeback.

 

[Bluebear]

It was as early as the beginning of this year that people on this board were trash talking him.

He deserved it earlier in the year.

He is our barometer. Earlier this year when he fired, we were up.....when he had a quiet one he was missing.

His start to seasons has left a bit to be desired the last few years........but good to see him string a few together at the right end for us.

He will be vital vs Crows, along with Walker, Stevens and Scotland.

These guys give us a lot of run and carry and can hit targets. It will be crucial vs Crows to break the lines and then execute with long penetrating kicks before they can zone back.

If we start going sideways across half back we are dead at the Dome.......looking at you here T-bird.

 

[BlueYoss]

Considering (in spite of?) his trademark slow start to the season, Simmo's numbers are right up there with our cream:

Kicks
1. Gibbs 297
2. Judd 291
3. Simpson 270
4. Murphy 268
5. Fevola 236

Disposals
1. Gibbs 560
2. Judd 556
3. Murphy 543
4. Simpson 449
5. Bower 376

Marks
1. Thornton 155
2. Fevola 139
3. Gibbs 134
4. Simpson 119
5. Bower 113

Goals
1. Fevola 81
2. Betts 37
3. Murphy 29
4. Gibbs 14
5. Simpson 14

On those numbers he easily takes Stevo's place in the Fab 4.

 

[big_dunk]

He seems to be always improving, so no complaints.

I think his kicking at goal has been pretty good this year

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

He deserved it earlier in the year.

No he didn't. Simmo gives his all every single game. It's natural he's going to hit form slumps, just like every other player will/does. When he hits a slump, we shouldn't jump all over his back (as happened on this board), we should stand by him and be patient as we should know that with his hard work he'll find form sooner rather than later

 

[Silvagnis]

The weekend's game is why I suggested trading Simpson for a pick to get something we need to address a weakness on our list. Simpson does disappear when the heat is on and doesn't run as hard the other way.

I still feel Simpson struggles to impose himself against bigger mids and wingman with just 3 CP against Adelaide.

Doesn't run as hard as he can...

FC showed Simpson cruising as they got the ball to Symes who kicked a running goal.

It was similar to a lack of effort going the other way in the loss to Collingwood.

Yet Murphy, Gibbs and Judd are criticised for not chasing.

At least they can win contested possessions.

Wiggins lacks Simpson's talent, yet had nine one per centers against Adelaide.

Not good enough for someone who should be VC.

Simpson has always been a burst player like the OP mentions.

I would consider trading Simpson for a draft pick and use that pick to try to acquire McKinley.

Or draft a tall if we can't get McKinley.

That's more a sensible suggestion than trading a talent such as Yarran for McKinley.

 

[BlueYoss]

We're trading Yarran for JK -get with the program!

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

I disagree completely. I think several times this year Simpson has been the one who has lifted when we've needed somebody to lift us. There's one game about a month or 2 ago which is really sticking in my head where he single handedly got us back into the game, just can't think who it was against. I think Simmo's biggest strength is his work ethic

 

[Just Kreuzing]

I disagree completely. I think several times this year Simpson has been the one who has lifted when we've needed somebody to lift us. There's one game about a month or 2 ago which is really sticking in my head where he single handedly got us back into the game, just can't think who it was against. I think Simmo's biggest strength is his work ethic

You have just nailed it right there, a month or 2 ago is about the mark in most cases for Simpson, he will play a blinder every 4 or 5 weeks and this is supposed to compensate for pathetic efforts like the weekend. All those quoting stats etc, they mean nothing unless you do something with them, All i want is for him to chase, man up and hit a feww targets, not duck back into play, not take such a wide arc to find his left foot, and to at least kick the ball to the advantage of our forwards. I wonder why he has played forward more recently, maybe he was getting exposed on the wing.

Get something for him before his currency completely diminishes.

 

[Will.B.Worth.Da.Waite]

You have just nailed it right there, a month or 2 ago is about the mark in most cases for Simpson, he will play a blinder every 4 or 5 weeks and this is supposed to compensate for pathetic efforts like the weekend. All those quoting stats etc, they mean nothing unless you do something with them, All i want is for him to chase, man up and hit a feww targets, not duck back into play, not take such a wide arc to find his left foot, and to at least kick the ball to the advantage of our forwards. I wonder why he has played forward more recently, maybe he was getting exposed on the wing.

Get something for him before his currency completely diminishes.

Lol once again I disagree completely. Simpson has been brilliant this year. It's the complete opposite to what you say. He has one horrible game every 4 or 5 weeks, not the other way around. And how can you comment on his inability to use his right foot when he's clearly improved substantially in that area this year. He's kicked several goals from his right foot this year as well as used it a lot more. He's clearly addressing a weakness he knows of, and he's gotten it to at least a satisfactorily level this year.

You guys seem to be clones of the different media that Ratts has responded to this week. Just like Ratts has said, you're taking way too much from one horrible game. You're completely ignoring the majority of the season by looking so much into one game. How you can single at Simpson for not chasing in the Crows game when 22 other players did it on regular occasions that game is beyond me