Jy Simpkin returns to play in his first game since suffering a concussion following a bump from Jimmy Webster and says he has no animosity towards the St Kilda veteran.
"The day after it all happened, he reached out and felt a lot of remorse," Simpkin said.
"I had a phone call with him for 10 or 15 minutes and we had a good chat. I've got no hard feelings. These things unfortunately happen in football and unfortunately, this time, it happened to me.
"They dealt with Jimmy, he got his seven weeks, and everyone will move on from it."
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson apologises for comments made towards St Kilda players at the quarter-time break during the club's AAMI Community Series match at RSEA Park.
Following a heavy bump on Kangaroo Jy Simpkin by Jimmy Webster, Clarkson says he 'voiced his displeasure' towards Webster and Saints defender Dougal Howard, an exchange he conceded on Monday was "unnecessary" and included "inappropriate" language.
"I was deeply disturbed seeing our captain Jy Simpkin forced from the field as a result of a heavy collision just before quarter time," Clarkson said in a statement.
"Jy has had a great pre-season and has now had three concussions in 12 months and I was so disappointed to see him leave the field in that way."
Jy Simpkin signs a five-year contract extension with the Kangaroos to remain at the club until the end of 2029.
"I want to captain this club for as long as I can and get us out of the hole we're in. I'm just really excited for the future of the club and I really want to be one of the people that is talked about when you speak about North Melbourne turning it around," Simpkin said.
North Melbourne name Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald as co-captains for the 2023 AFL season.
"Luke and Jy are outstanding individuals, well-equipped for this role both from a football and a cultural sense," North Melbourne’s footy manager Todd Viney said.
"Everyone at the club has great respect for Luke and Jy. They are both equally as passionate about getting the club back to where it needs to be, developing our young talent and fostering a positive club culture."
Jy Simpkin wins North Melbourne best and fairest for a second time.
Simpkin polled a total of 130 votes to mark another impressive year, finishing well clear of Davies-Uniacke (108 votes) in second. Bailey Scott (98 votes) rounded out the top three.
Jy Simpkin signs a new contract to remain at North Melbourne until the end of 2024.
"I've worked to get into the position where I am today to be at this club. I'm really faithful to the club and I'm really looking forward to the future," Simpkin said.
"If we can keep this mix going and keep the energy and vibes around the club, I've got no doubt in my mind we'll be playing September footy quicker than what other people think."
Luke McDonald wins his first Syd Barker medal as North Melbourne's best and fairest for the 2020 AFL season, claiming 183 votes ahead of young gun Jy Simpkin (140) and midfielder Jed Anderson (138).
North Melbourne midfield coach Jarred Moore says Jy Simpkin is determined to be one of the competition's elite.
"A couple of years ago he took it on and decided he really wanted to invest and spend plenty of time at the footy club. He's the first one there, going through the most amount of vision and doing the most amount of touch," Moore said.
"He wants to get everything out of himself and be one of the best players in the competition. That's without any arrogance at all, he's a really respectful kid. But he's certainly made it known that he wants to be one of the best players in the competition."
Jack Ziebell will lead North Melbourne as captain again in 2020, with a leadership group that has doubled in size.
Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont, Jasper Pittard and youngster Jy Simpkin have been promoted to the eight-man contingent ahead of Rhyce Shaw's first full season in charge.
Jamie Macmillan has retained his place, while Shaun Higgins has been elevated to vice-captain alongside 2019 deputy Robbie Tarrant.
"I reckon it's a really really good group in terms of its diversity," Roos coach Rhyce Shaw said.
"We've got guys that have been there for a period of time and a great crop of first-timers in Trent, Jy, Ben and Jasper who have all put in some real work to better themselves as players, teammates and people."
Jy Simpkin acknowledges he was "very lucky" to dodge serious injury when he walked in front of a motorcyclist after a late night out.
The incident occurred just over two weeks ago when Simpkin was walking home following a night of drinking. Without looking, he stepped out on to a road in West Melbourne and into the path of an oncoming motorbike.
Fortunately, the motorcyclist was not badly hurt and Simpkin suffered only a minor ankle injury.
"I'm very lucky to even still be here talking and even walking. For me to have been able to walk out of the hospital and play footy again two weeks later, I'm very lucky and grateful," Simpkin said.
"I was really embarrassed about what happened; being out at that time of night with the season just around the corner and having had a few drinks.
"I've let everyone down within the footy club and outside of the footy club – all my teammates, coaches, the fans, staff, everyone involved. I just hope I can gain back everyone's respect and have everyone back on good terms."
Jy simpkin is injured in an accidental collision with a motorcyclist that has prompted the second-year Kangaroo to impose an alcohol ban on himself for the rest of the 2018 season.
Simpkin will miss up to four weeks after he injured his ankle stepping into the path of a motorcyclist while crossing the road in West Melbourne early on Sunday morning.
The 19-year-old had been drinking before the incident and the police have indicated he will be fined for being drunk in a public place and for crossing the road on a red light.
"He had been drinking and unfortunately, he wasn't as alert to his surroundings and as careful as he should have been," North football manager Cameron Joyce said.
"Jy didn't see the motorcyclist and stepped out in front of him and the accidental collision occurred. He is very lucky no one was more seriously hurt."
Jy Simpkin will wear Lindsay Thomas' No.12 jumper in 2018 for the Kangaroos.
Having been released from his contract at the Kangaroos, Thomas joked that Simpkin had forced him out of the club.
"The kid's so talented and he's knocked me off my perch and put me out of a job, but it's good. I'm super proud … to see his development over the last 12 months," Thomas said.
"I hope he can have a long career and do well. It's going to be good to see Jy wearing the No.12."
Jy Simpkin's whirlwind start to his AFL career has continued with the exciting North Melbourne forward signing a two-year contract with the club.
Simpkin has played three games so far in his debut season and impressed enough for the Roos to lock him in until at least the end of 2020.
"I love being at the club and it's where I want to stay for my career, so I was stoked to have that and sign to the end of 2020, which is awesome," Simpkin said.
"I hope I can stay there for as long as I can and help the club towards as much success as possible."
Jy Simpkin makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium with 9 disposals (2 kicks and 7 handballs), 2 marks and 2 tackles in a 43-point loss to West Coast.
Monday, 20 March 2017
Jy Simpkin is poised to debut for North Melbourne in their 2017 season opener against West Coast at Etihad Stadium.
"Jy has made a really impressive start," Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said.
"We were talking about him today at match committee and it's really unusual to see a young player who's got genuine outside class but also has a terrific work rate, unbelievable courage and is genuinely tough – and all those things sum up Jy."
North Melbourne select Jy Simpkin with pick No.12 in the 2016 National Draft.
"I see him starting out as a mid/forward but we think he's got the capacity to come up to a wing and midfield," North recruitment manager Bryce Lewis said
"He played very little this year because of the broken leg (he suffered in April) but if you track his 17-year-old year amongst his peers he was right up there.
"He certainly does provide an X-factor, plays with a lot of energy, and is very clever and dangerous around goal."