From goal-kicking to goal-setting: Jy Simpkin and Shane Crawford inspire local students

By Taylah Baker

Sep 7, 2023

**Worthy opponent:** Mooroopna Primary students took on North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin during the drills and kick session. Photo by Taylah Baker

Accompanied by AFL legend Shane Crawford, Jy Simpkin left Marvel Stadium in his rear-view mirror to return to his original home ground.

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On Friday, September 1, the North Melbourne captain visited Mooroopna Primary School, Simpkin’s old stomping ground during his self-confessed “ratbag at school” days.

Simpkin and Crawford staged an assembly, joined by Federal Member for Nicholls and event organiser Sam Birrell, to speak to the students about goal setting and following one’s dreams, professional football or otherwise.

**Footy fans:** Shane Crawford sent cheers through the assembly as the students barracked for their teams. Photo by Taylah Baker

Donned in their footy colours, students sent roars through the school grounds as Crawford called out each AFL team in the league.

But the real noise erupted when Mooroopna Primary teachers challenged Simpkin to recite the school song, joined on stage by his cousin and Year 1 student Layla Tillett.

**Front-and-centre:** Jy Simpkin called his cousin Layla Tillett, Year 1, to the stage. Photo by Taylah Baker

Mr Birrell experienced his own nostalgia, recalling the days he and Crawford were running around Assumption College in Kilmore together.

“Shane and I were friends at school. He obviously went on and became a superstar footballer, but he’s always been generous,” Mr Birrell said.

“He’s really interested in talking to kids, getting their positivity up, and physical and mental health ... and I’d love to do more of this — get positive, inspirational people come talk to the region.”

**On the ball:** Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell invited the two AFL guests to visit rural Victorian schools. Photo by Taylah Baker

Crawford reiterated Mr Birrell’s comment, saying he and Simpkin’s visit would not be a one-off.

“We’re going to keep coming back and connecting with all the different schools — we went to St Mary’s in Nathalia earlier, and last night we trained with the Cobram Tigers thirds and fourths,” he said.

AFL legend: Shane Crawford engaged and inspired the students. Photo by Taylah Baker

“Hopefully, it inspires them to at least start thinking, light the flame, and then it comes down to really believing in what they want to do.

“Who knows, we might’ve communicated today with a few new footballers, females and males, a potential prime minister, who knows?

“I think it means more when you head to country areas, especially when they don’t get any exposure to people like Jy.”

Simpkin is well aware of his influence on the region’s youth, and though some might feel the pressure, he enjoys it.

“I was once in their shoes, sitting down here, listening to assemblies and people come and talk, and having a dream to one day play AFL football,” he said.

“And now achieving that, hopefully, I can be a role model for the next generation coming through.”

Simpkin, Crawford and Mr Birrell joined the Year 3 to 6 students in a training session on the school oval.

Fundamentals: Jy Simpkin handballs to the students during their training session. Photo by Taylah Baker

Simpkin radiated good energy leading the students through the drills, though his determination to lead a taller group of footballers in the royal blue and white is never far from his mind.

“Hopefully, in the next couple of years, North Melbourne will be able to scratch the surface and get into the finals,” he said.

“My tip’s on Melbourne to win the flag. Obviously, knowing Clayton Oliver pretty well and growing up here with him, we played on the same team in the under-16s here at Mooroopna when we won the grand final, so fingers are crossed for him that he can hold up the premiership cup again.”