The Greater Western Sydney Giants have made their first move of the AFL off-season, signing 26-year-old Geelong ruckman Dawson Simpson via free agency.
The Giants have been on the lookout for a mature ruckman to support Shane Mumford this off-season, and it looks like they have found their man.
“Dawson comes from an excellent football system at Geelong and offers the support for Shane Mumford we’re looking for,” said the Giants’ general manager of football Graeme Allan.
“His experience will also be really important for our exciting crop of younger ruckmen who are looking to build on the exposure they gained this year.”
Simpson stands at 206 centimetres and was pick 34 for the Cats in the 2007 AFL draft. However, he has played just 28 career games in his eight years at the club.
Simpson had to wait until 2010 to make his debut and did not stake his claim as a regular until the 2013 season, when he enjoyed a brief period as the Cats’ number one ruckman.
He played six games in 2013, averaging nearly 30 hitouts per game, but was struck down by injury. He played another 13 games in 2014, his most in any year, before playing just three games this year.
Simpson will likely serve purely as a back-up for Mumford. Mumford managed only 11 games for the Giants this year, after an ankle injury against Collingwood in Round 11 ended his season.
Without a mature go-to replacement for Mumford, the Giants fell out of the top eight and missed finals despite a promising start to the year.
Cats fans are unlikely to be too cut up over Simpson’s departure as he has never been a staple of their side.
“Dawson was respected, liked and admired by his team mates during his time with the club,” said the Cat’s general manager of football Steve Hocking.
“He battled back from injury and was always a positive influence at the club. Dawson worked hard on the training track and was a presence whenever he was given the opportunity to play at senior level.
“We wish Dawson well at GWS and hope that he will be able to have a long career with the Giants.”
Having already brokered deals for Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Selwood and Lachie Henderson, the Cats are now believed to be working on a deal to bring Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith to the club.
Smith’s recruitment should solve any ruck depth problems after the loss of Simpson.
Geelong are unlikely to receive a compensation pick in return for Simpson’s departure.
TRADE DONE – Geelong big-man Dawson Simpson becomes a GIANT – http://t.co/YkWti8ohmX
#TradePeriod pic.twitter.com/QJuyao0E53
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) October 16, 2015
The Cats thank Dawson Simpson for his service after he accepted an offer to join @GWSGIANTS http://t.co/AvPufv2Lw1 pic.twitter.com/8V5s3SxUBV
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) October 16, 2015
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