Introduction
Dawson Simpson (born 17 February 1989) is an Australian rules footballer for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Simpson is a 206cm tall ruckman from the Murray Bushrangers. He helped the Bushrangers reach the TAC Cup grand final in 2007, his second in TAC Cup ranks. While playing for the Bushrangers he played 33 games and kicked a total of 6 goals. Simpson has been described by Geelong as a long-term project and a fierce competitor who is a strong overhead mark. re Giant ruckman who was hindered by a back injury in the first half of 2012. Regained fitness but made only two appearances in the AFL, taking his career tally to five games in five seasons. Had more surgery in the lead-up to 2013, but turned the corner in spectacular fashion during the middle of the year by producing a series of impressive performances, only to be cut down by a serious knee injury.
After having back surgery over the summer, Dawson had a very good season. Worked his way into the AFL team in the middle of the year and was able to give the midfielders first use of the ball. He then suffered a knee injury against St Kilda in round 18, which was really frustrating because he was playing some great footy. He had been critical to the teams performances in 2013. He was also criticised in 2015, by then, more mobile and well-rounded ruckmen had overtaken him on the depth chart.
In October 2015 he joined GWS Giants as an unrestricted free agent.
Statistics
- Statistics are correct to end of Round 5, 2015. Averages are in brackets.
| Season | Team | # | Games | Disposals | Kicks | Handballs | Marks | Tackles | Goals | Behinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Geelong | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | Geelong | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | Geelong | 16 | 2 | 14 (7.0) | 6 (3.0) | 8 (4.0) | 7 (3.5) | 6 (3.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| 2011 | Geelong | 16 | 1 | 9 (9.0) | 2 (2.0) | 7 (7.0) | 4 (4.0) | 4 (4.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| 2012 | Geelong | 16 | 2 | 8 (4.0) | 4 (2.0) | 4 (2.0) | 3 (1.5) | 4 (2.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.5) |
| 2013 | Geelong | 16 | 6 | 59 (9.8) | 22 (3.7) | 37 (6.2) | 21 (3.5) | 12 (2.0) | 1 (0.2) | 1 (0.2) |
| 2014 | Geelong | 16 | 13 | 79 (6.1) | 21 (1.6) | 58 (4.5) | 18 (1.4) | 34 (2.6) | 3 (0.2) | 2 (0.2) |
| 2015 | Geelong | 16 | 3 | 21 (7.0) | 6 (2.0) | 15 (5.0) | 2 (0.7) | 9 (3.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Career totals | 27 | 190 (7.0) | 61 (2.3) | 129 (4.8) | 55 (2.0) | 69 (2.6) | 4 (0.1) | 4 (0.1) | ||