Dawson Simpson Biography

Dawson Simpson has called time on his 47-game, two-club career, announcing his retirement effective at the end of the 2019 season.

"I probably haven't achieved what I wanted to when it comes to games played, but I think the resilience I've been taught has created a man that can make a difference outside of football," Simpson said.

"I think that had I had an armchair ride or a cruisey career, I wouldn't be the same person today. I wouldn't have the same depth and resilience in my character if I didn't have the setbacks I had and the injuries I've had.

"I look back on my career happy with what I've been able to achieve over the past 12 seasons and striving for those last couple of games and the ultimate success this year."

Daniel Lloyd and ruckman Dawson Simpson sign contract extensions with GWS until the end of 2019 and 2018 respectively.

"Daniel and Dawson have both played important roles for us this year and we’re thrilled to have them put pen to paper," Giants football manager Wayne Campbell said.

"Both have unique stories in how they've got to this stage and have shown terrific resilience and dedication over the years."

Dawson Simpson signs a new one-year deal with the Giants to remain at the club in 2017.

Simpson did not play a senior game with the Giants in 2016 after being picked up as a delisted free agent but the club decided to stick with the popular big man for at least one more season.

Dawson Simpson has opted for a fresh start after eight injury-plagued seasons with Geelong, signing with Greater Western Sydney as an unrestricted free agent.

"Dawson comes from an excellent football system at Geelong and offers the support for Shane Mumford we’re looking for," Giants football manager Graeme Allan said.

"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."

Every Geelong player will have to attend a drink-driving education course in the wake of Dawson Simpson's positive breath test.

The ruckman, who recently underwent back surgery, was pulled over last weekend and recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.1, which is double the legal limit.

Under Victorian law, he subsequently had his licence suspended for 10 months and was fined $700.

In addition to those penalties, Simpson has now been fined $2000 by the Cats.

The club has also demanded that he fit an interlocking device to his car, at his own expense, once his licence is reinstated.

His car will only start if he records a zero reading when using the device.

The drink-driving course, which Simpson and all his teammates will attend, is the final part of his punishment.

"There is no excuse for drink driving," Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said.

"We are relieved that nobody was injured by Dawson's actions, as there is obvious potential for serious accidents when somebody is driving while impaired.

"Dawson will need to demonstrate through his actions that he learnt from this.

"We have imposed additional sanctions to Dawson, and also taken steps to further educate the entire playing group to the consequences of drink driving.

"We have come to these outcomes in consultation with the player leadership group and have advised relevant stakeholders of our position."

Dawson Simpson has been charged with drink-driving after he was pulled over by police on Saturday night.

"The TAC can confirm that the Geelong Football Club informed us today that one of their players was caught drink driving yesterday," a statement from the Cats said.

"The TAC is extremely disappointed with the news. We will await further discussion with the football club before making any further comment."

Geelong coach Chris Scott says the workload of Dawson Simpson and Hamish McIntosh will be closely managed this year.

Both big men have battled injuries in recent seasons, and the Cats are desperate for them to last the distance in 2014.

"I think in combination we're confident that we'll get a full season out of them," Scott told AFL.com.au.

"Individually, I can guarantee you we won't, because we have plans to manage their seasons. They won't play every game.

"Hopefully all of our decisions are by design and not forced upon us by injuries, but the early indications are pretty positive.

"But we're realistic as well. Hamish has played eight games in three years. Dawson's had two lots of back surgery and a knee issue towards the end of last season.

"So we're optimistic, but we're also aware of the hurdles that they have faced."

Dawson Simpson tells of his despair after suffering a season-ending knee injury against St Kilda in round 18 of 2013.

"It was pretty crushing for my confidence. It had been good to be in the team and playing well," Simpson said.

"Hamish (McIntosh) was down, and I felt like I grabbed that spot and was playing well enough to stay in the team.

"I knew as soon as I did my knee that that was the season for me … that the opportunity was gone from that point."

Harry Taylor says teammates Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson are relishing the opportunity to be back in training after recovering from injuries.

"They're competing against each other a lot and just enjoying that opportunity to be around the boys and ride the emotional rollercoaster that you do as an AFL player," Taylor said.

"You spend a lot of rehab time by yourself, so to be able to put the jumper on and train means they're both pretty happy at the moment, which is good."

After being put on a modified pre-season program while he recovers from a serious knee injury, Dawson Simpson hopes to rejoin the main training group when the Cats return from their Christmas break.

"The knee is very strong and it's holding up really well," Simpson said.

"Fitness is as expected. I'm a little bit behind the main group at the minute, but I should be in full training after Christmas.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back in there, but I've been able to pretty much withstand everything that's been thrown at me to this stage."

Dawson Simpson may miss the finals after injuring his knee against St Kilda.

"He obviously landed on that left knee and it buckled inwards, and he has actually sprained the (medial) ligament on the inside of his knee," Geelong physio Mike Snelling said.

"Also, at the same time, his kneecap appeared to dislocate. It popped out to the side and then it popped back in."

Chris Scott says ruckman Dawson Simpson is coming under strong consideration for Friday's round 13 clash with the Swans in Sydney.

"He's certainly had a good preparation for AFL footy. He's played three games in the VFL now over a long period of time - a period of five or six weeks," Geelong coach Chris Scott said.

"We think he's certainly fit and available this week. It'll just come down to a selection issue. If you don't see him this week, you can certainly expect to see him in the next couple."

Geelong has suffered another big-man blow with young ruckman Dawson Simpson to miss three months after lower back surgery to remove a disc.

Dawson Simpson makes his AFL debut for Geelong with 11 disposals (5 kicks and 6 handballs), 6 marks, 2 tackles and 5 hitouts in a 7-point loss to Fremantle.