An ode to Kade: One of the most loyal players in AFL history

The numbers of one-club players in AFL are dwindling by the year.

The introduction of free agency and the pulls of money, moving back home, and the ultimate premiership success are the main driving factors that see players switch clubs.

In an era where loyalty is seemingly secondary to success, there are few players that can be considered some of the most loyal players in the VFL/AFL history.

This week, an illustrious group of great players gained a new member to the 300 club as Kade Simpson became the latest man to chalk up this most impressive milestone.

You can mount a case that not much has changed at Carlton since the time Kade Simpson first arrived at Princes Park.

Just days before the now infamous 2002 national draft for the club, Blues were stripped of their opening round selections and hit with severe penalties for their salary cap breaches.

After being stripped of their early picks, Kade Simpson was selected at pick number 45. the first pick for a club at rock bottom.

16 years later, Carlton is seemingly back at – albeit starting the slow climb back up from rock bottom.

The constant in all those years has been Kade Simpson.

(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

In the 16 years he has been at the club, there have been many players to come and go through the Carlton doors in recent times.

While some have been shown the exit and some have moved on to bigger and greater careers elsewhere, Simpson has stayed true and Blue. This, making him one of the most loyal players in AFL history.

In recent years, the game has been littered with players seeking trades to win Premierships.

Players are driven by the success of reaching the ultimate glory.

For many years there had been the one-year contracts awarded at the end of the season and for so many years, his name has held the title of an unrestricted free agent at seasons end.

There were the opportunities to move on to greener pastures and to go and get some well-deserved success at another club.

But these are the thoughts that have never once crossed Kade Simpson’s mind.

Despite playing over Carlton’s darkest era, Kade Simpson has remained as loyal to his club as any other person in the game.

A simple, humble yet courageous and uncompromising man whose love for his football club and teammates transcend everything that this beautiful game has to offer.

He is a proud and dedicated player for a club he loves – the Carlton FC.

He has stood the test of time when every person at the club was in a position of having their abilities tested.

Win, lose or draw, Simmo knew that he would never desert a ship that was sinking but to become part of structures that would make that ship rise up. 

He should be the player that footy fans admire and respect. He should be the player who young kids should admire and respect, no matter who they support.

More than that, he should be the player that other players follow. Despite all the adversity and heartache the club has faced, he has continually led from the front and let his football do the talking. Like a good bottle of wine, he has just got better with age.

The way he plays is admired by everyone. He is not as flashy or silky as some others, but one who goes out and continues to be the blue collar and courageous player that everyone wants to have going into battle.

Someone with a footy brain who will run all day and continually hunt the footy and use it to the best of his ability.

You don’t get to 300 League games if you are not blessed with some sort of skills, you need the heart and passion to go with that and you have one hell of a player.

Craig Bradley, John Nicholls, Stephen Silvagni, and Bruce Doull. These are all giants of the game and now Kade Simpson takes his rightful place alongside them as an immortal of the Carlton Football Club.

In all my time watching football, he has served as the one constant. The one you look forward to watching in the side week in week out, the one that you know will deliver 120 per cent of himself whenever he crosses the while line.

He deserves to be included in such a class of players mentioned above and merits to have success at the end of a long distinguished career more than anyone.

After his desire to work hard through a mighty tough period in the history of the football club – he deserves to be in the reckoning for one of the most loyal players to have played this great game.

To Kade Simpson, we salute you. Thank you for all your blood, sweat and tears over the last 299 games and 15 years. An absolute warrior of the Carlton Football Club who deserves nothing more than four points on Saturday.