The West Coast Eagles have been urged to consider drafting retired Carlton defender Kade Simpson after the 342-game great revealed he would be open to making a return to the AFL.
Speaking on theย Dyl and Friendsย podcast, Simpson stated he still wished he was playing and would be ready to make a comeback to the league.
Five potential landing spots for Kade Simpson
โIf someone did come knocking, Iโm ready," he said.
Kade Simpson on whether heโs ready to go in 2021 ๐ Listen to the full ep here - https://t.co/v69eiByFlt pic.twitter.com/Vdog55TO7D
— Dylan Buckley (@dylan_buckley) April 11, 2021
The 2013 John Nicholls Medal winner would be desirable for several AFL clubs currently looking to contend for the premiership, with Simpson offering great run and carry out of defence.
Speaking onย Sportsday,ย Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy suggested the Eagles should consider prying Simpson out west given their current plague of injuries.
โIโm not sure where Kade is at, but if Iโm the West Coast Eagles and Iโm skinny in the midfield right now, youโve got a forward line and a defence that can win you a flag and yet all of a sudden theyโre down Elliot Yeo, theyโre down Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurnโs gone down and their depth in that area is not great," Healy said.
Defender
Disposals
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Rebound50s
โYou could get Simpson for nothing โฆ I wouldnโt close off my views on whether anyone who just retired could play.โ
The Eagles currently don't have a list spot open ahead of the June 2 Mid-Season Draft, but would be able to open up an opportunity for Simpson should a player sustain a long-term injury.
Forward Daniel Venables has faced a long battle with concussion and has previously been considered as an option to be moved to the long-term injury list.
