6. KADE SIMPSON

THE curtain has been drawn on an unprecedented 2020 season for the Navy Blues.

Trading Ikon Park for 10 different hotel hubs across Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, it’s been a year we won’t soon forget.

With the final siren having rung on the final game, it’s time to look at those who featured in five or more games for Carlton or made their AFL debuts in 2020.

Here’s the year that was for Carlton’s retired legend, Kade Simpson.

GAMES:

2020: 17
Career: 342

GOALS: 

2020: 1
Career: 139

KEY AFL STATISTICS (averages in brackets):

Disposals: 264 (15.5) Marks: 66 (3.9) Intercept possessions: 81 (4.8) Rebound 50s: 62 (3.6) Metres gained: 5,064 (297.9)

OVERVIEW

With 17 seasons already under his belt, Simpson entered his final season in the Navy Blue with his same meticulous and unrelenting game style at its best.

In the form of much of his career, Simpson appeared in all 17 of Carlton’s matches in a season that challenged not only the side, but the overall competition more than ever before.

The Blues’ much-loved stalwart never faltered in his ability to direct traffic across the backline, setting a long-sleeved example for a young defensive group featuring Sam Petrevski-Seton, Tom Williamson and Lachie Plowman.

Giving maximum effort until the final siren of his illustrious career, Simpson will long be revered by players and supporters as a player that transcends his Club.

BEST PERFORMANCE

With a season as consistent as Simpson’s, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single best performance with the defender delivering a predictable resilience at every possible outing.

The standout for the Carlton veterans came in the Blues' last win of the 2020 season over Sydney: a come-from-behind win with a clutch finish, just to keep Bluebaggers on the edge of their seats.

Simpson was an integral part of settling the Blues ahead of their comeback efforts, collecting 18 disposals throughout the clash.

The real highlight was his efforts in quelling the Swans attack inside 50: he gathered nine intercept marks and four rebound 50s before the game was over.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

While it wasn’t quite the fairytale finish for Simpson, with the Blues falling short to the Lions in the final round of the season, his final goal in Navy Blue would have brought a tear to the eye of many a Bluebagger.

A quick dash through the centre to sneak forward and slot what would be his last AFL goal, Simpson capped off a 342-game career with Blues swarming from across the ground to celebrate alongside him.

THEY SAID IT

There was plenty of praise to go around for the retiring veteran when he decided to hang up the boots, but perhaps the best come from his two co-captains.

“The word 'legend' suits the way he's played for so long, and it will suit the way he'll go out,” said Patrick Cripps.

“The thing I've always admired the most about him is that when the game is there to be won, he's always there to make a last-ditch effort or put his body on the line or run that extra mile to get the ball and get it going our way. They're the people you want to play with,” said Sam Docherty.