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After a waiting game patiently played through two clubs and two AFL grand finals, Jonathan Simpkin will finally get his chance on Saturday.
The Hawthorn utility – who watched previous clubs Sydney and Geelong play in grand finals and in the Cats’ case, win a premiership – didn’t feature in either.
In fact, rarely did he feature for either AFL team during his stints there – battling away since 2006 in AFL reserves and second-tier competitions without making the big-time.
Now 25, Simpkin’s third coming as an AFL player has been his most successful.
He has been in and out of Hawthorn’s side this season, though he hasn’t featured since round 20.
His own form hasn’t been the problem – rather the embarrassment of midfield and forward riches the Hawks have.
Simpkin knows that feeling well, and admits he had virtually given up on the prospect of playing in an AFL grand final after being so close, so often.
“It’s been a long road. Being at Sydney when they made the grand final and Geelong as well, to get an opportunity, I’m really looking forward to it,” Simpkin said on Friday.
“I’m 25 now – been at three different clubs, and it’s something you probably don’t think’s ever going to happen when you’ve been travelling around.”
His chance came as a result of the cursed luck of another – utility Brendan Whitecross – whose reconstructed knee caved in late in the Hawks’ preliminary final.
It was the 23-year-old’s second serious knee injury to keep him out of a grand final.
Whitecross, while clearly feeling his own disappointment, made a point of contacting Simpkin once he was named.
That was no surprise to Hawks teammates, who to a man admire Whitecross’ positivity.
“I spoke to him. He’s been really supportive. He sent me a really nice text message last night and I saw him yesterday at the club,” Simpkin said..
“It’s been sad circumstances for him, but he’s been really good to me.”
Now Simpkin, who was the best player on the ground in Hawthorn’s reserves grand final win last weekend, can make it two premierships in six days if the Hawks can beat Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
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