By Aaron Cordy
IT’S A far cry from the cauldron of the MCG to Mooroopna Primary School, but it’s in the imaginations of many children across the country where dreams of playing in the AFL first begin. It was no different for North Melbourne co-captain, and Mooroopna Primary School graduate, Jy Simpkin.
Jy, along with former AFL Brownlow medallist Shane Crawford, and Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, were on hand last week to teach the children of Mooroopna Primary School some valuable lessons about goal setting and chasing your dream.
The students got to meet the AFL stars, ask questions, run kicking and drills sessions, with Mr Simpkin joining them in a rendition of the Mooroopna Primary School song before they headed back to class.
Like many students of primary age, Jy hadn’t quiet taken his schooling to seriously. “I liked lunch time. Playing footy and running around with my mates,” he said. Which gave him a good grounding to pursue his dream of playing AFL football.
“It’s good to come out and connect with the kids. Especially in the country, because I think the country kids appreciate it more,” said former AFL great Shane Crawford, hailing from Finley, before achieving the ultimate AFL success individually and as part of a team.
