North skipper overcome with emotion during heartfelt interview

News.com.au18-05-2025

North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin was left fighting back tears after his side's hard-fought win over Richmond on Sunday.
After taking down the Tigers by four points at the MCG, Simpkin was speaking with Fox Sports' Sarah Jones when he was asked about his tough week.
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The 27-year-old was away from the club during the week as he and his family said their goodbyes to his nan.
Talking about the week and his nan, Simpkin was overcome with emotion.
Watch the heartfelt scenes in the video player above
'Tough week, yeah. Obviously nan passing away was tough on myself, the family, everyone back home,' said the Roos captain, who is from Mooroopna in northern Victoria.
'But it happens and it's life, and I'm just so glad, as a family, I got to be there with her for her last few breaths and her last couple of hours.
'And I'm just super proud the boys got the job done for me today, and I know nan and pop will be up there looking (down) very proud.'
Simpkin took to Instagram during the week to honour his nan in a post that was flooded with love from those within the AFL.
'Will miss your smile nan, you're with pop now. I love you,' Simpkin captioned his post.
The heartfelt scenes came after North produced only their second win of the season thanks to a game-saving mark from Toby Pink.
With one last surge at victory, Tigers youngster Kaleb Smith sent a long ball deep into attack in the Tom Lynch direction, but with strength Pink bustled Lynch out of the way to take a strong grab with 40 seconds left.
It would prove to be the last meaningful foray by either side as the Kangaroos held on for a 12.6 (78) to 11.8 (74) victory.
But the Tigers were left to rue a controversial umpiring non-decision as North's Luke Davies-Uniacke appeared to be very fortunate not to be penalised for deliberately sending the ball out of bounds with a handball in Richmond's forward pocket with 1:28 to go. If the free kick was paid, it would've given Richmond a chance to re-take the lead.
After slipping behind at three-quarter time, the Tigers got their noses back in front early in the final quarter, but North hit back with the next two goals on the back of repeat forward 50s and opened up a 12-point lead.
The Kangas could've iced the game, but squandered shots on goal from George Wardlaw, Simpkin and Jack Darling kept Richmond alive.
Tom Lynch cut the margin to six points shortly after, but it was then Richmond's turn to be wasteful in front of goal with the game on the line as Kane McAuliffe and Tim Taranto sprayed their set shots to claw the Tigers within four points with 4:36 remaining. They would prove to be the last scores of the game.

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AFL 2025: Goalkicking great Lance Franklin calls for urgent change at Carlton

News.com.au

31 minutes ago

News.com.au

AFL 2025: Goalkicking great Lance Franklin calls for urgent change at Carlton

AFL great Lance Franklin has urged Carlton to swing the axe on embattled coach Michael Voss 'ASAP'. The Blues went down to the Kangaroos by 11 points on Saturday afternoon – a stunning 93-point turnaround from their Good Friday win in the earlier fixture. The defeat has increased pressure on Voss, prompting captain Patrick Cripps to throw his support behind the Carlton coach on Monday morning. But Franklin sees the situation differently, saying the Blues aren't getting the best out of their list and need urgent change. 'I'm going to put this out there, I know this is a big call, I don't think he sees out the year,' Franklin told The Buddy & Shane Show. 'I think they've got a pretty good list, I do, I think the issue is the messaging is not getting through to the players. 'I think there needs to be change and we've said it before, we're all about the players and coaches, but I think this is a change that needs to happen and it needs to happen ASAP because the messaging is not getting through. 'All of the Carlton supporters would probably say the same. I'm probably speaking on behalf of them. I think there needs to be a change and it'll probably happen in the next few weeks is my tip. 'It's a big call, but that's what I think will happen.' Cripps defended Voss, saying there needed to be greater responsibility on the players. 'I couldn't speak highly enough of Vossy as a coach, also as a mentor and a friend,' Cripps said. 'He puts a lot of work into it along with the whole (coaching group) … that group's very aligned. 'We're in it together – we're not going to point blame at anyone else, we're going to take complete ownership, especially as players. '(Voss) has done a great job for us for a long time now, and I feel like as players, we need to aim up a bit more.' The Blues went into round 15 with a shot at moving closer the top eight but left the MCG to a chorus of boos from their own supporters. Cripps said Carlton was at its best when it was 'stronger together' and pleaded for the frustrated fans to 'buy in and get behind' the Blues. 'I don't want to divide us versus the fans – I feel like it's really important we stay together,' Cripps said. 'When times are tough, it's the most important time to stay together and stay united. 'For a lot of years now, we've had that 'stronger together' mindset, and it's easy to do that when we're winning … it's bloody hard to do that when you're having tough losses. 'We're sticking fat together … buy in and get behind us, we'll turn it around. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of effort, but we're going to stay united.' Carlton has a short turnaround between games with Port Adelaide on the road this Thursday night.

Adam Treloar sidelined for at least six weeks as scans reveal another serious calf injury

West Australian

an hour ago

West Australian

Adam Treloar sidelined for at least six weeks as scans reveal another serious calf injury

Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar faces an uphill battle to play much more footy this year after scans revealed another serious calf injury. Treloar was substituted out of Sunday's big win over Richmond after suffering yet another calf issue. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said he will be sidelined for at least six weeks. 'Adam Treloar's scans have revealed a calf strain,' Cleary said on Monday. 'Set to be sidelined for at least the next six weeks. 'Going to be touch-and-go for a H&A return… finals another conversation (if Dogs make it). 'The All-Australian also out of contract for 2026.' The 32-year-old, who became an All-Australian for the first time last year, was playing just his fourth senior match of the season. He missed the first seven games of the year after a pre-season injury, but managed just one match (against Port Adelaide in Round 8) before he was sidelined again. Treloar returned to face the Hawks in Round 13, and played against the Saints the following week before going down once more on Sunday. With nine rounds left in the season, it leaves Treloar's season hanging by a thread. The Bulldogs look likely to make the finals, which will give the veteran more chance to recover but also will leave coach Luke Beveridge with a massive decision on whether to select the injury-prone midfielder. Earlier this month, Beveridge maintained they would continue to pick him when he's fit. 'We're hoping he's got a future beyond this year and that will take care of itself. We'll work through that,' he said. 'He's just such an influential player and an esteemed player over a long period of time, that by and large, week to week, he's probably going to be in our best 22 or 23 so we'll pick him when he's when he's feeling fit and healthy and strong.' The Western Bulldogs currently sit in eighth position on the ladder ahead of Friday night's huge clash against Sydney.

Adam Treloar hanging by a thread as scans reveal crushing blow

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