Wait, this guy's not retired yet? Kade Simpson made it 11 consecutive 20+ disposal-average seasons, although he barely snuck in to claim that feat, delivering his lowest output in over a decade. The no-longer Mr Reliable missed a cluster of games due to hamstring tightness, and started to produce more topsy-turvy scores. He is the heart and soul of the club and won't be losing his spot barring injury or a scheduled rest. His best days are long gone but even a one-legged Simpson is still better than most. Take him in the middle-to-late rounds and make sure you have good bench cover.
Do not Kade into that good night
Wait, this guy's not retired yet? Kade Simpson made it 11 consecutive 20+ disposal-average seasons, although he barely snuck in to claim that feat, delivering his lowest output in over a decade. The no-longer Mr Reliable missed a cluster of games due to hamstring tightness, and started to produce more topsy-turvy scores. He is the heart and soul of the club and won't be losing his spot barring injury or a scheduled rest. His best days are long gone but even a one-legged Simpson is still better than most. Take him in the middle-to-late rounds and make sure you have good bench cover.
Kade Simpson has announced he will play on another year in the navy blue, and the question for fantasy coaches is whether he still has any value left for their uses. Dale Thomas has played half back this year in lieu of the injured Sam Docherty but, assuming that Docherty recovers from consecutive ACL tears to suit up for round 1 of 2020, it is hard to see Simpson putting in 22 games at senior level with Nic Newman and either Jarrod Garlett or Sam Petrevski-Seton demanding games at half back. His fantasy output has fallen significantly this year.
Simpson's homeric feats
With a season high of 37 touches in his 300th game against Port, Kade Simpson did the work asked of him as he has for 16 seasons in the AFL. It was his tenth straight year averaging over 85 in basic fantasy formats, missing only six home & away games in that period. Changing personnel around him didn't affect his output, though he was tagged down to 20 touches by Caleb Daniel. Simpson's value could skyrocket this season with the advent of the new kick in rule, as he is the Blues' designated kicker and he will get even more opportunities for cheap stats. High ceiling, upside, durability... what more could you want? There's a case to be made for drafting him first overall. A big case! It would be a brave coach to do that, but he should be off the board in the first round.
Kade Simpson is getting a lot of attention this week for playing his 300th game, and deservedly so. Fantasy coaches have enjoyed his work over a long period of time as one of the more reliable premium backs, and at the age of 34 he is still very much in the conversation to finish one of the top six backs in salary cap competitions. The cliff comes for us all, no doubt, but Simpson has been invaluable for an undermanned and overworked Carlton defence this year and he is still pumping out fantasy tons most weeks. We love you, Simmo!
Simpson swings for homers
In his 15th year playing senior footy, Kade Simpson racked up his tenth season of playing all 22 home & away games in 2017 in his usual free-wheeling style zoning off at half back. His numbers were not far off his 2016 peak either, revelling in link-ups with Sam Docherty as the Blues sought to control the ball in possession. Only 27% of his disposals were contested, and he had the lowest rate of contested marks among those in the top 15 markers. Simpson will turn 34 in May, which is very old for a footballer. Docherty's absence in 2018 will mean some greener kids in the Carlton back line, and this might help Simpson as he loves being the get-out option for teammates under pressure. Brendon Bolton has coached this team to set the terms of a game through denying the opposition the ball, and having it in Simpson's hands is a big part of that. The cliff looms, but a high pick is still warranted.
