Jy Simpkin
5/3/98, 181cm, 71kg
Murray Bushrangers
Forward

From AFL.com.au

It is one of the bigger shames in this year's under-18 season that injury ended Jy Simpkin's season before it had really even got going.

Simpkin played just one TAC Cup game for the Murray Bushrangers – a four-goal and 18-disposal effort in round one – before he broke his leg in a school game for Scotch College in April.

He required immediate surgery and was all but ruled out for the rest of the season straight away, which was a blow for the teenager and recruiters who hoped to see him take his game further after impressing as a bottom-ager last year.

Simpkin, an indigenous prospect from Mooroopna in country Victoria, was excellent as a 17-year-old for his state at the 2015 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, including kicking the match-winning goal after the siren to clinch a victory over Vic Metro.

He was added to the NAB AFL Academy as a member of its level two squad and impressed initially before his season was cut short. He resumed running about a month ago and is expected to be fit for the pre-season.

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Why clubs should pick him
Simpkin's forward play sets him apart. He's smart and twists and turns out of trouble, he is adept at reading the ball at the fall of a contest, his hands are clean and creative, and he knows his way around goal.

Simpkin has pace and likes to use it, too. He enjoys taking on opponents by grabbing the ball, tucking it under his arm and running down the wing, but he's also prepared to go the other way and lay tackles and apply forward pressure.

With a nice sidestep, Simpkin can find space easily and use his right-foot kicking to set up the play. For a half-forward who has not yet progressed into a full-time midfield role, Simpkin has excellent endurance and he has attacked his rehab program with the right mindset and attitude.

From Murray Bushrangers

Murray Bushrangers talent manager Lee Fraser expected big things from his livewire forward in 2016.

“We were really looking forward to Jy’s season. He played a couple of Academy games early, but in his first game for Scotch College he broke his leg,” Fraser told foxfooty.com.au.

“He was a little bit disappointed for a while but we’ve really seen towards the second half of the year his energy and spark is back.

“He’s a really infectious personality. The coaches and playing group love his company.”

“He earns a lot of respect through his effort and work rate,” Fraser said.

“He’s ready made emotionally to take the next step and play AFL footy.”