- Jy Simpkin paid a moving tribute after scoring for indigenous stars
- His team grew Fremantle 108-65 during the match at the Optus Stadium
Jy Simpkin has opened in the moving tribute that gave his late grandfather after kicking a goal in the indigenous game All Stars on Saturday.
It has been a difficult months for the midfielder of Northern Melbourne who sadly lost his grandfather at Christmas.
Simpkin cut an emotional figure when he returned to the bank after kicking his goal, burying his head in his hands and was comforted by his teammates.
The 26 -year -old produced a better performance on the field during the game, winning the Polly Farmer medal with 30 touches and 18 disputed possessions.
But reflecting on the goal, Simpkin revealed Fox Footy that he had greeted his grandfather while defending tears.
'(Era) quite special. My pop died little at Christmas, so one of the last things he said was: “When you put your first goal, be sure to give me a thumb up”, so it was a very special moment, 'Simpkin, who was recently named North Melbourne's captain said next season.
Jy Simpkin has opened in his moving goal tribute, stating that he was paying a greeting to his grandfather who died tragically during the Christmas period
Simpkin was better on the floor for the game, but cut an emotional figure when he returned to the bank
He later revealed that his grandfather had told him to give him a thumb up when he scored his next goal
Simpkin, meanwhile, has been acclaimed by many around the AFL, including Shaun Burgoyne and Eddie Betts.
“Beautiful moment,” Burgoyne said. “I guarantee that your family would be looking.”
Betts added to Fox Footy: 'That is why we play football, for our family. We leave every week and want to make a show for them.
'He is an incredible footballer and an incredible leader. That is why he is the only captain of North Melbourne Football Club.
“It came out and had 30 provisions and it was better on the ground.”
Simpkin also spoke in his form in recent years saying that his performance during the overwhelming 108-65 victory of the All Stars against Fremantle, showed that he is putting his best foot in 2025.
“I've probably had a couple of years in the last two years,” he said.
'But I have put myself in a good place during the low season, preseason, to leave and have a good season.
North Melbourne's captain received the Polly Farmer medal to obtain the best performance on the ground
The midfielder talked about the performance that indicated that he was promoted by his game in the AFL 2025 season
“I think today I showed that I can play a good football and I hope to continue in the future.”
After a ralter of a game at the Optus stadium, Simpkin also hopes that it will not spend much time until the All Stars meet for another game.
'It is a very special moment. Obviously, 10 years have passed since the last game and see the participation of the crowd: they are a couple of quite special days and, without a doubt, we will appreciate this for a long time, “Simpkin added.
'It is quite fun, we were all making a joke about it, the connection we have regardless of what. We laughed at the bank saying: “If this were a team that came out during the appropriate season, I think we would really go well.” It is quite special.