Mail - Ferntree Gully Mail - 03rd July 2018

Page 1

Ferntree Gully

Belgrave

Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires

2

Zombie prom

Tuesday, 3 July, 2018

5

CFA promise

A Mail News Group publication

24-25

Best in local sport

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

Blue in 300 club By Peter Douglas, Russell Bennett

INSET: Kade Simpson has become a crowd favourite. Joining Simpson at the event was two of his Carlton teammates, who, in a quirk of fate, had also plied their trade with the Emerald Football Club, Cam O'Shea and Matthew Lobbe. The esteem they hold him in is obvious despite the cheek that comes along with it. "He's the oldest and grumpiest at the club," Lobbe said of Simpson. "He's a bit of a dad around the playing group, so that's pretty entertaining!" Simpson told the Carlton website he is truly humbled to be included among the club's greats to have reached 300 games. "It's embarrassing really to be named alongside these sorts of guys ... not only legends of Carlton but legends of the AFL," Simpson said. "But I'm sure, once I'm retired, that this is something I'll look back on and hold pretty dear to my heart." Simpson has become just the second player from what is now the AFL Yarra Ranges competition to play 300 VFL/AFL games. The other being Yarra junction's 'Captain Blood', Jack Dyer. Carlton's games record holders: Craig Bradley: 375 Bruce Doull: 356 John Nicholls: 328 Stephen Silvagni: 312 Kade Simpson: 300

· · · · ·

Dr John Gyorki Belgrave Surgi Centre

New GP patients are also welcome

Experts in Property Management We have a dedicated team of rental professionals, who are committed to delivering the best results to our clients. For stress-free and effective management of your investment property, contact the team at Fletchers Yarra Ranges.

Servicing the community since 1986

1561 Burwood Highway, Tecoma 3/1606 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda 9751 0299 fletchers.net.au

Ph 9754 7555

Widetread

• TYRES • WHEELS • SUSPENSION •

UV 4&S the 4x ialsts c e Sp

!

nuff said

Approved Dealer for

FERNTREE GULLY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Highway (towards Belgrave)

LILYDALE 9735 0188 32 Main Street (over railway line Melb. side)

www.widetread.net.au

425427-JL28-9

This service is bulk billed Appointments are necessary

12321009-PB35-16

Shop 1 / 1651 Burwood Hwy Belgrave

Offering full body skin checks on Tuesday afternoons

Emerald Football Club president Dean Stuhldreier presents Kade Simpson with a special award just days before his 300th AFL game. Picture: COURTESY OF ROBYN KUYS 1238678-CG32-16

Emerald favourite son and Carlton legend Kade Simpson achieved a major milestone on Saturday 30 June, reaching the coveted 300game club. After learning his craft as an Emerald Football Club junior, Simpson has slowly but surely carved out a remarkable career that has seen him become one of the most widely respected players in the AFL. Though, it wasn't smooth sailing for him in the early days. Simpson's first three games, where he didn't register a single disposal, have been widely spoken about in the lead-up to his big occasion. On the eve of his 300th match, Simpson clearly hasn't forgotten his roots either, turning out to a function at Emerald Football Club, at the Chandler Reserve on Saturday 23 June, held in honour of his achievement. "In that first year, I didn't get a lot of time on the ground," Simpson said. "They didn't rotate like they do these days; so, in my second game, I played two minutes and spent the rest of the game on the bench. "In my second year, I played three more games but finished the year with a broken hand and missed the last couple of months of the season. "But once I got that self-belief that I belonged in the senior side, that went a long way to my form picking up and (then Carlton coach) Dennis (Pagan) giving me the confidence to just go out there and play my style of football. "He always wanted me to take the game on, and he'd tell me if I got caught holding the ball, he didn't care - he wanted me to keep doing it." Simpson, now 34, admits Pagan was hard on his players, but says he learned a lot about hard work while playing under him. After nailing down a regular spot in the Blues' senior side, Simpson went on to play 158 consecutive games at the level - from Round 15, 2005, to Round 12, 2012. He says his ability to play through injuries, and perform at the high level, was also something he learned under Pagan.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.