Reliable, Consistent, Durable and just keeps finding a way to get it done. Is Simmo set for another big fantasy season in 2019?
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Kade Simpson
Age: 34
Club: Carlton Blues
Position: Defender
2018 Highest Score:
131 Vs West Coast (AFLFantasy)
150 Vs Richmond (SuperCoach)
2018 Average:
95.2 (AFLFantasy)
105 (SuperCoach)
SuperCoach Price: $570,300
AFLFantasy Price: $692,000
AFLDreamTeam Price: $682,200
WHY IS HE RELEVANT?
Every single year Kade Simpson seems to find a way to be among the top scoring defenders and be one of the most reliable fantasy premium options. Last year in AFLFantasy/DreamTeam he scored over 100 in 10 matches and impressively 8 of them over 110 and finished the year averaging 95. For SuperCoach from his ten scores over the ton, just one of them under 110 and he increased his output by 12 points up to 105.
One of the primary reasons for a scoring bump especially in SuperCoach was the need for him to take further responsibility inside defensive 50 with the season-ending ACL injury to Sam Docherty. Sadly, yet again in 2019 ‘Doc’ will once again miss another year of footy and despite the Blues being a developing young side they still rely heavily upon the leadership, influence and disposal of Simmo.
Over the past three seasons he’s been a picture of durability and scoring consistency, he has only missed just the one game and hasn’t averaged beneath 93 in any format during that time. Only once since 2005 has he not played 20 games or more, even at 34, he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down with many around the club believe he has at least another good season in him beyond this one.
One of the new variables fantasy coaches will need to succeed is the new Kick-ins rules and the impact to scoring that will have. Last year Simmo took 36% of all Carlton kick-ins, and about half of those he played on. However, due to the way Champion Data has confirmed what they’ll be doing with statistics Kade (among others) should be optimistic about receiving a points scoring bump.
As per previous seasons, there will be no disposal given when a player kicks-in while clearly still in the square, even after the umpire has called “play on”. Once the player steps completely out of the square before kicking-in, this will count as a disposal, similar to past seasons after a kick-in to self. All handballs will be counted as disposals regardless of where the player is standing.
These likely additional points should only further enhance what is already a reliable premium option in our backlines.
MY TAKE
Traditionally the further you enter into the 30’s you start to slowly drop away certainly as a fantasy player if nothing else. However, nothing indicates that Kade Simpson will slow down his points scoring anytime soon. The fact that with the new rules he actually could yet again gain in scoring is quite a likely possibility.
While nothing is ever certain in fantasy footy, history suggests to us that another stronger 90+ if not a 100+ year from Simmo is likely. With many coaches being attracted to the potential of youngsters in James Sicily, Alex Witherden and Jack Crisp it could be entirely possible that Simpson’s ownership is considerably lower than it should. On the topic of other defenders he shares his bye round with Rory Laird and Lachie Whitfield in round 14 and is a worthy candidate to start alongside or potential even instead of either of these premiums.
He also loves the big stage of the opening game of the year, over the past three seasons he’s opened up his AFLFantasy/DreamTeam scoring with 129, 126 & 118 while in SuperCoach it’s scores of 150, 107, 104.
Some may suggest that due to his age and the Blues list profile that he may be forced to call it quits mid-season to give more kids game time. While it may well be his final year, he won’t be forced to retire during season or kids selected over him. Simpson is the heart and soul of this football club and is a true warrior for them. For me, I currently have Simpson locked into my DreamTeam side and will plan to bring him in at some point for SuperCoach & AFLFantasy as an upgrade target.
DRAFT DECISIONS
Across all formats most fantasy coaches seem to believe it’s a pretty clear top 2 in Rory Laird and Jake Lloyd but then you can start to build a case for a variety of defenders to finish top 5. For me I still believe Simmo is a worthy D1 selection, but whether or not he goes inside the top 30 overall selections will be of great interest to me.
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