TonyK
CibbuanoSimpson steps down as skipper
November 5th 2008 07:07
NORTH MELBOURNE will have a new captain next season after Adam Simpson decided to step down as skipper after five years.
Simpson was appointed captain on the eve of the 2004 season, taking over the role when Anthony Stevens himself relinquished the position.
The 32-year-old said he felt the time was right for him to give up the captaincy.
"I think it's time to pass it on, I've been doing it for five years now and I always said I'd like to pass it on going into what could be my last year of footy," Simpson said.
"I also want to help the new skipper, whoever it is, get through his first couple of years and take it from there."
"We've got a couple of leaders who I reckon might be ready, so I thought why wait and instead of making a tough decision perhaps mid-year, we could start fresh now."
"I also think that if you're captain in your last year and it doesn't go well it could create a bit of a void for the next captain and I just look at Neitz last year … when he did decide to retire it just looked like it was a bit of a struggle … (so) we wouldn't want that to happen."
North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley paid tribute to Simpson's leadership and his ability to play consistent football.
"For me he's been a wonderful support," Laidley said.
"He hasn't missed many games of footy."
"The biggest thing for me is he's helped educate people underneath him. And hence the candidates he's spoken about (Harvey, Drew Petrie, Brady Rawlings and Daniel Pratt), you'd probably assume (the new captain) will come from one of those guys."
"And to be able to select someone of four people, shows he's done a pretty good job over the journey and also been able to play some really good footy, been very consistent."
"I take my hat off to him to be able to do that and then also put the club in front of himself in his last year because it does get tough when you get to that age and you do need to prepare."
Simpson was appointed captain on the eve of the 2004 season, taking over the role when Anthony Stevens himself relinquished the position.
The 32-year-old said he felt the time was right for him to give up the captaincy.
"I think it's time to pass it on, I've been doing it for five years now and I always said I'd like to pass it on going into what could be my last year of footy," Simpson said.
"I also want to help the new skipper, whoever it is, get through his first couple of years and take it from there."
"We've got a couple of leaders who I reckon might be ready, so I thought why wait and instead of making a tough decision perhaps mid-year, we could start fresh now."
"I also think that if you're captain in your last year and it doesn't go well it could create a bit of a void for the next captain and I just look at Neitz last year … when he did decide to retire it just looked like it was a bit of a struggle … (so) we wouldn't want that to happen."
North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley paid tribute to Simpson's leadership and his ability to play consistent football.
"For me he's been a wonderful support," Laidley said.
"He hasn't missed many games of footy."
"The biggest thing for me is he's helped educate people underneath him. And hence the candidates he's spoken about (Harvey, Drew Petrie, Brady Rawlings and Daniel Pratt), you'd probably assume (the new captain) will come from one of those guys."
"And to be able to select someone of four people, shows he's done a pretty good job over the journey and also been able to play some really good footy, been very consistent."
"I take my hat off to him to be able to do that and then also put the club in front of himself in his last year because it does get tough when you get to that age and you do need to prepare."
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