In the last ten years, Jonathan Simpkin has experienced a lot of what football has to offer; the disappointment of being overlooked in the draft, the joy of being selected, the thrill of winning a premiership, the pain of missing out.
From Geelong to Sydney, to Colac, back to Geelong, to Hawthorn, to Balwyn and now to the Bombers… Simpkin’s football journey continues.
Here is how it’s unfolded so far.
2005 – After playing with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup, Simpkin was overlooked in the National Draft. A few weeks later he was picked up by the Sydney Swans with the 16th overall pick in the Rookie Draft.
2006 – Simpkin is unable to break on to the Swans senior list but plays in a reserves premiership.
2007 – Simpkin is elevated to the senior list but fails to play a senior match. He plays in another reserves premiership. The Swans delist Simpkin at the end of the season.
2008 – Simpkin plays with the Colac Tigers in the Geelong Football League. During the season he plays eight games for Geelong in the VFL.
2009 – Simpkin spends the full season with the Geelong VFL side.
2010 – Simpkin again spends the year in the VFL and is named in the representative side. At the end of the season the Cats draft Simpkin with the 56th pick in the Rookie Draft.
2011 – Simpkin plays the entire season in the VFL and picks up the Best and Fairest award.
2012 – Ahead of round nine, Simpkin is promoted to the senior list and makes his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs. He plays another three games that season, including the Elimination Final against Fremantle. He also wins another VFL Best and Fairest, but isn’t offered another contract with the Cats and is picked up as a delisted free agent by Hawthorn.
2013 – In round six, Simpkin plays his first game for the Hawks against Adelaide. He plays 14 games that season, including the Grand Final win against Fremantle.
He also plays in Box Hill Hawks premiership win and picks up the medal for best on ground.
2014 – Simpkin plays 18 games in the AFL side, but misses selection for the Grand Final.
2015 – Simpkin plays one game in the AFL and 20 in the VFL where he averages 28 possessions per game and kicks 16 goals. Simpkin is delisted by Hawthorn at the end of the season and he signs with Balwyn in Melbourne's Eastern Football League.
2016 – Simpkin joins the Bombers.
By the Numbers...
Age: 28
Height: 181cm
Weight: 81 kg
Games: 37 (33 with Hawthorn, 4 with Geelong)
Goals: 16
Premierships: Hawthorn 2013, Box Hill 2013 (VFL), Geelong 2012 (VFL), Sydney reserves (2006 and 2007)
