ROUND 1 of the 2022 VFLW season saw a remarkable comeback from the Darebin Falcons, and a huge part of that was Falcons’ skipper Stephanie Simpson.

Darebin Falcons

Stephanie Simpson

Height: 166cm

Weight: -

DOB: 20-11-1986

Although she only had 10 touches for the match, her presence was much wider felt. She predominantly played forward, and although supply was essentially non existent in the first quarter, as the game went on she was able to get more into the game.

In the forward line, she provided a strong marking target, and managed to get two goals on the board too. But her influence was not just confined to the forward 50. She ventured further up the ground, not always in pursuit of her direct opponent.

Simpson provided physical pressure in many a contest, even if it did not result in her getting the ball and provided a handy link between back and forward line for the Falcons.

Her leadership in the forward line was also exceptionally valuable, particularly as the game went on and things started to get tighter on the scoreboard. The Falcons are a relatively young and inexperienced side, so to have someone with as much leadership and experience as Simpson out there is absolutely crucial.

Alongside her 10 touches and two goals, she also finished the game with five marks and three tackles.

Post match, Falcons coach Kate Tyndall praised Simpson’s game, particularly “her ability to compete and mark smart decisions and then to finish really well in front of goal”.

This season is the third consecutive year Simpson has been skipper of the Falcons, and she is one of the most experienced players going around, not only at the Falcons but in the entire VFLW competition.

She first debuted for the Falcons in 2009, and played in the dominant Falcons side alongside the likes of current and former AFLW stars Daisy Pearce, Melissa Hickey and Aasta O’Connor. That Falcons’ side was quiet the dynasty, winning the 2009, 2010 and 2013-2017 flags.

Despite many girls her age, she had to give up playing footy as a junior because of her gender. She then went to soccer, but was convinced to come back to footy by non other then former teammate and current Dees skipper Pearce.

In an article on Darebin’s website, Simpson said “I met Daisy Pearce one day at a charity footy game and she invited me to come to training,” Simpson said, “and I pretty much quit soccer that week.”

The Falcons face a much tougher opponent this week in the Casey Demons, so will rely on their leaders like Simpson even more to keep their great start to the season going.