Kade Simpson Biography

Kade Simpson joins Hawthorn as the club's backline coach.

"Kade has an exceptional understanding of the modern game, and we think he will prove a great complement to our existing coaching structure," Hawthorn head of football Rob McCartney said.

Blues stalwart recalls the day, in his final season at Carlton, when he first met Kade Simpson.

"I remember when he first got there, he was a tiny little fella and he didn't grow too much, but gee he had a big heart," Ratten said.

"Really, he never put that much size on. He just found a way to make it all work. He was such a brave player for his frame given what he did. To be so resilient, to play 300-odd games, it's amazing."

Kade Simpson will retire after Carlton's clash against Brisbane this week.

The 36-year-old will finish his career with 342 games across 18 seasons and leaves the club as one of its most decorated servants.

"I never believed when I was drafted that I'd still be playing 18 years later," Simpson told Carlton's website.

"It has been an honour to play for the Carlton Football Club. This place has been my home for such a long time and I?ve never taken for granted what it has meant to run out in that No.6 in front of what is the most passionate supporter base in the AFL."

Currently in the midst of his 17th pre-season with the Blues, Kade Simpson says he isn't thinking of retirement yet.

"Guys can go in and say it's going to be their last year. I don't want to do that. I'll play for as long as the body and the mind hold up," he said.

"'Bolts' (coach Brendon Bolton) has always said that when I walk through the door, if I'm playing good footy and I've still got something to offer, there will always be a spot for me."

Patrick Cripps caps a career-best 2018 season with his second John Nicholls Medal, dominating the club's best and fairest count at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Veteran defender Kade Simpson polled 108 votes in second, while Ed Curnow and Charlie Curnow tied for third spot with 98 votes each.

Kade Simpson signs a new one-year with Carlton to play on in 2019.

Carlton stalwart Kade Simpson is set to sign a contract extension that will take him into a 17th season at Ikon Park.

"He's a great role model for our football club," Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.

"He'll play on, there's no doubt about that. We want him to, we need him to and he wants to. It's so important to have that type of player with our list profile."

Carlton's illustrious group of 300-game players met at Princes Park on Wednesday, with the collection of Blues legends celebrating the newest addition to their exclusive club.

Kade Simpson will become just the fifth Carlton player to reach 300 games when the Blues take on Port Adelaide this weekend, joining a distinguished group to achieve such a feat.

Only Craig Bradley, Bruce Doull, John Nicholls and Stephen Silvagni have donned the navy blue jumper on 300 occasions.

"I'm a little bit embarrassed joining the names I am joining," Simpson said.

"It probably won't totally sink in, but I'm just trying to embrace the week ahead."

Kade Simpson says he is "embarrassed" to be joining an illustrious group of 300-game players with the Blues, and says he is still holding out hope he can win a premiership with the club.

"It's something I'll definitely look back on," Simpson said.

"Apart from my family and my partner, Carlton's the other biggest influence in my life. It's shaped the way I've grown up. They all mean a lot to me."

Eddie Betts and Steve Johnson headline a list of 10 new AFL life members.

Betts, Jordan Lewis, Kade Simpson and the recently retired Johnson and Andrew Mackie automatically qualified for life membership having passed 300 AFL games.

The AFL announced on Wednesday it had also conferred life membership for "special service to the game" to former Commission chairman and Carlton premiership captain Mike Fitzpatrick, 1993 Norm Smith medallist Michael Long and dual Richmond premiership player and long-time broadcaster Rex Hunt.

Marc Murphy will skipper the Blues for a sixth consecutive season in 2018.

Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty are Murphy's new deputies in an eight-man leadership group including Kade Simpson, Ed Curnow and fresh faces Matthew Kreuzer, Alex Silvagni and Lachie Plowman.

Ben Brown, Robbie Tarrant, Jack Gunston, Neville Jetta, Luke Shuey and Kade Simpson are new additions to the squad who will represent Australia in the International Rules Series.

Kade Simpson signs a new one-year deal to extend his career into a 16th season at Carlton in 2018.

Simpson sits sixth on Carlton's all-time games list on 286, one shy of Justin Madden and 14 short of joining Blues greats Craig Bradley (375), Bruce Doull (356), John Nicholls (328) and Stephen Silvagni (312) in the 300-game club.

Simpson said trying to reach the rare milestone was not a driving factor in his decision to play on.

"I wanted to play on because I feel like I've still got plenty to offer and I'm still not really satisfied with my career. I still don't think I've had team success and that's what everyone's after," Simpson said.

"(Reaching 300 games) does get brought up by other people, and that's when it does cross your mind.

"Obviously, if you look back on your career and see your name sitting alongside four of the absolute legends of the footy club, you're going to be pretty chuffed."

Kade Simpson is confident he will be offered a new deal to play on in 2018.

Simpson, 33, has played 21 matches this season for a total of 285 games with the Blues, and has been in fine form as a running half-back.

"(We'll) probably wait until the end of the year, but fingers crossed," he told Channel Nine.

"I hope (to play on) ... all talks to begin with are going that way."

Kade Simpson isn't planning on his 15th AFL season being his last.

"I haven't really thought about the finish line ... I'm just trying to focus on getting through (seasons)," the 264-gamer said.

"I had a really good pre-season last year so I'm just trying to compete with that.

"With all of the young kids we've got coming through it sort of reinvigorates you ... it's an exciting place to be at the moment."

At the age of 30, Dennis Armfield has been added to Carlton's leadership group for the first time, taking the spot of the retired Andrew Walker.

Marc Murphy has retained the captaincy at the Blues with veteran defender Kade Simpson the vice-captain for the third year overall.

Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Bryce Gibbs and Ed Curnow round out the seven-player leadership group.

"In 2016, we set about building leadership density across our list. This year, we are sticking to the roadmap and ensuring there is a consistent level of leadership across the board," Blues coach Brendon Bolton said.

"With only one change to our leadership group for 2017, we are building on the foundations that were set last season."

Kade Simpson signs a one-year deal with Carlton to play on in 2017 and extend his career into a 15th season.

"The club is united, and while we know we have plenty of hard work ahead of us, we have an exciting young list coming through and it’s an environment I want to be part of," Simpson said.

"I really enjoyed this season under Brendon Bolton and the coaching panel, and the body is feeling good.

"While I can still contribute to the playing group, I am keen to go on so I’m thankful to the club and my manager for making this happen."

Kade Simpson says he feels so reinvigorated under new Carlton coach Brendon Bolton he believes he could play for another two years.

Simpson will celebrate his 250th game on Sunday when the Blues seek their fourth win in a row, against Ken Hinkley's up-and-down Port Adelaide side.

"I had a really good pre-season, probably 'Bolts' and some new coaches coming in reinvigorated me, and my body's feeling really good and mentally I'm in a good space as well," Simpson said.

"Hopefully (I can play on for) another one or two years."

Marc Murphy is reappointed as Carlton captain for 2016, but the Blues have overhauled their leadership group with the skipper and Bryce Gibbs the only survivors from the 2015 line-up.

In the new-look team, veteran Kade Simpson will take over as sole vice-captain from Murphy's 2015 joint deputies Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison.

Youngsters Patrick Cripps, 20, and Sam Docherty, 22, are among five additions to the 2016 group, as the Blues' next generation of leaders begins to emerge.

Hard-running midfielder Ed Curnow, 26, also joins the leadership team for the first time, while former members Simpson, 31, and Andrew Walker, 29, return after one-year absences.

Walker said Murphy had always loomed as the logical captaincy choice.

"After the tough year that we had and the amount of scrutiny that he copped I think the natural thing would have been for somebody to go into their shell," Walker said.

"But he has always stood up and really been at the forefront for the Carlton footy club. He copped a lot of scrutiny, but I think the way he was able to come out of it and the amount of confidence he's still got to lead the footy club is going to be great for us going forward."

At 31 years of age, Kade Simpson says he is in great shape and hopes to earn a contract extension to play on in 2017.

"I will, obviously, just wait till the season starts, or when the club comes to me, and we'll just go from there. If they want me to stay, I am pretty happy to stay," Simpson said.

"I know everyone says it, but the body is probably the best it's felt for four of five years. I have barely missed a session all pre-season …

"In the off-season as well, I did as much training as I ever have done in the time away, so I have come back in pretty good shape, ready to go."

Carlton cuts it's leadership group from eight to five.

Sam Rowe is a new addition to the group while Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Andrew Walker and the delisted Brock McLean have left the group.

Existing leadership group members include Marc Murphy, who will continue as captain, Michael Jamison, Bryce Gibbs and Lachie Henderson.

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak is one of four players named as finalists for the 2014 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Carlton vice-captain Kade Simpson, Geelong midfielder Mathew Stokes and West Coast defender Beau Waters were also selected as finalists after being nominated for the award by their respective clubs.

Boak's work with the Childhood Cancer Association to raise awareness and funds earned him his nomination, while Simpson, an ambassador for Down Syndrome Victoria, has helped raise more than $30,000 for the organisation.

As the first Aboriginal player to be in Geelong's leadership group, Stokes was selected for his tireless work with the local and national indigenous community to promote a number of Aboriginal health initiatives.

Waters has been involved in a number of organisations over the past decade, including Cancer Council WA, where he is an ambassador, and has been the catalyst for the Eagles raising almost $1million for cancer research.

Blues captain Marc Murphy, vice-captain Kade Simpson and midfielder Bryce Gibbs are reported to have lost money in a failed property development at Mt. Eliza set-up by director Richard Newton.

The venture was affected by the Global Financial Crisis several years ago with the players and Newton losing a collective six-figure amount.

Kade Simpson re-signs with Carlton for another two years, tying himself to the Blues to the end of 2016.

Carlton has announced an expanded eight-man leadership group for 2014 to be headed by second-year captain Marc Murphy.

Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson will be joint vice-captains, while defender Michael Jamison returns to the group after 12 months in the role of deputy vice-captain.

As well as Jamison, Bryce Gibbs, Lachie Henderson, Brock McLean and Andrew Walker are new inclusions for 2014.

"We have the experienced leadership of Simpson and Carrazzo, together with Brock McLean who is a strong voice both on and off the field," Blues general manager of football operations Andrew McKay said.

"After 12 months out of the leadership group, Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison return, which is great to see, because they're two very important and respected figures within the playing group.

"We're also pleased to see Andrew Walker and Lachie Henderson step up – both have come off a terrific season in 2013, finishing second and third respectively in the best and fairest."

Carlton vice-captain Kade Simpson wins his first club best and fairest with 92 votes, ahead of defender Andrew Walker (77 votes) and utility Lachie Henderson (71 votes).

"Coming in I was hoping, but never really thought it would happen, and then later on the nerves sort of built up when I started polling a bit," Simpson said.

"Absolutely thrilled and, yeah, it's definitely one of my highest achievements."

Carlton will decide between Andrew Carrazzo, Marc Murphy and Kade Simpson for the captaincy with each player being rotated for the leadership role in the opening three rounds of the NAB Cup.

Carrazzo says former skipper Chris Judd will be invaluable resource to all three players.

"He's got a wealth of knowledge, having played under John Worsfold (at West Coast), and his experience, and being in a successful team he knows what it takes to get to the top level," Carrazzo said about Judd.

"Juddy's a fantastic example. He's someone who's always willing to offer his experience and his know-how. In a way, we're lucky that Juddy's still here and playing such a big part still, so he's able to help us along."

Carlton has named five players to its leadership group including Nick Duigan who joins Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Jarrad Waite and Marc Murphy.

Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison, leaders in 2012, have been left out of the group, along with former skipper Chris Judd who has decided to focus solely on football in 2013.

On the request of his mother, Kade Simpson may wear a helmet when he returns from a jaw injury against the Swans.

"It may just be a double mouthguard, but the doc was going to have a word to the surgeon and get her thoughts on a helmet ... and if they say I need to wear one I'll strap it straight on," Simpson said.

"Mum and Dad wanted me to wear one then and Mum's pretty keen for me to wear one now. I've told her that they've done a study into helmets and they don't actually do anything, but she's pretty keen for me to put one on."

Carlton confirms midfielder Kade Simpson will spend time on the sidelines with a fractured jaw after clashing with Magpie Sharrod Wellingham.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley concedes that Wellingham will likely serve time for it.

"It was a clumsy contest," Buckley said.

"I think, initially, I've got no doubt that he's intent would have been to go and mark the footy and then I think he made a split-second decision that 'I'm not going to be able to mark this but I need to be able to spoil it'."

Collingwood midfielder Sharrod Wellingham says he was immediately affected following his sickening bump on Carlton's Kade Simpson.

"He didn't look to be in a great way when he was on the ground so I wanted to make sure that he was feeling all right and let him know it wasn't intentional to hurt him that much," Wellingham said.

"I think for a couple of minutes it certainly did play on my mind. Carlton were really taking the game away from us at that stage and the (Carlton) boys were letting me know it was a bad thing to have done."

Carlton's Kade Simpson says he will break his run of consecutive matches, now at 156 and currently the AFL's longest, if a rest would benefit the side.

"If we were in that position and it was going to benefit me and the team before the finals I'd definitely rest up," he said.

Kade Simpson has been lauded for his courage and character after playing his 150th consecutive AFL match against the Giants.

"He's one of the toughest footballers I've ever played with," teammate Heath Scotland said.

"He puts his head over it when the ball's on the ground, he backs into packs, and he's got the courage to gut-run when he's exhausted for multiple efforts.

"He does it all, and it's great to see him achieve such a great milestone."

Carlton has signed Andrew Walker and Kade Simpson, two of its best players this season, to three-year contract extensions.

"It's great to have these two blokes," Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said.

"Andrew Walker has been fantastic this season, injury-free and going well and Simmo is the barometer of this football club."

Kade Simpson will celebrate his 100th game tomorrow night knowing he will be a Blue until at least the end of the 2011 season.

The club today confirmed the 25-year-old left-footer had agreed to a two-year extension to his contract.

"I'm very happy to stay because I love this club," Simpson said.

"It's good now that we're starting to win a few games. It's been a lot more enjoyable than it has been over the last few years."