SAM INKS DEAL
CATS KEEP FAITH IN UNLUCKY SIMPSON
LUCKLESS Cat Sam Simpson has put pen to paper to remain at Kardinia Park for the 2023 AFL season.
The contract is some welcomed good news for the 24-year-old, who endured a tough 2022 campaign due to ongoing concussion problems following a clash during the pre-season.
The incident followed two other concussion-causing clashes, one against Richmond in the 2020 grand final and the other against Port Adelaide in the 2021 qualifying final.
Geelong general manager of footy Simon Lloyd praised Simpson, who played 19 AFL games between 2017 and 2021, for his work ethic in getting back to full fitness.
“First and foremost Sam is a quality young man who worked enormously hard and diligently over several months to get back to playing football this season,” Lloyd said.
“Sam has the ability to play as an inside midfielder, defender or half forward and we’ve seen enough in his 19 AFL games to recognise his talent and strong work ethic.
“We know with Sam’s professionalism he will continue to develop his game and we look forward to seeing Sam at senior level again in 2023.”
After recovering from his concussion symptoms this year, Simpson returned to the VFL in round 17, picking up 24 disposals against Carlton.
He played another three VFL games, but didn’t feature at AFL level.
Simpson joins Tom Atkins, Zach Guthrie, Tom Hawkins, Zach Tuohy and Isaac Smith in re-signing with the premiers, while Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes and Ollie Henry have all been traded into the club.
Quinton Narkle, Paul Tsapatolis, Nick Stevens and Zane Williams have been delisted, along with Francis Evans, who has since been picked up by Port Adelaide.
Cooper Stephens (traded to Hawthorn) and Shaun Higgins, Joel Selwood and Luke Dahlhaus (retired) are the only other players to depart from Geelong’s 2022 list.