Sport
24 June, 2026
Salmon celebrates milestone game
SIMPSON scored a vital 41 point win in their round nine Colac and District senior football match against Birregurra on Saturday.
Going into the game both teams were equal on points, with percentage seeing Birregurra in fifth place and the Tigers seventh.
After a tight first half, Simpson kicked eight to three second half goals to run out 13.11.89 to 6.12.48 winners at the Simpson Recreation Reserve.
“It was a really good win, it was pretty close all game,” Simpson star Brad Salmon said.
“They actually kicked the goal to start the last quarter and scores were level.
“Then we kicked seven goals unanswered to storm home; we’ve been running our games out really well and finishing off well, so we had a good belief that we could get the job done, it was a credit to the boys.”
Salmon, who celebrated his 250th senior game for Simpson in the win, said belief in the Tigers group was growing after consecutive wins against fellow finals contenders South Colac and Birregurra.
“There’s a few guys that have played 30 to 60 senior games now that are really starting to believe and have some confidence in themselves which really helps.
“We won that close one against South Colac last week, when you do win those sorts of games, it does give you a bit more confidence going into other games, whereas if you’re on the other end of a few close losses, you probably go into your shells a little bit.”
Salmon was named best for the Tigers in the win, but was more happy to praise long-time teammate Tom Leishman for his game.
“Sauce (Leishman) is having a bit of a purple patch, it was good to see him play well.
“Everyone played their role and chipped in, which is our motto this year, that we can play our role and everyone contribute a little, which goes a long way to winning.”
Along with Salmon and Leishman, Brenton De Jong, Tanner Fratantaro, Jayden Gass, and Louis Duynhoven were in the Tigers best, with De Jong and Brodie Neale kicking three goals each.
Salmon became just the fourth Simpson player to reach the 250 game milestone in a decorated career that started with a senior debut at the age of 16.
His career has included premiership success, best and fairest in 2023, runner-up best and fairest in 2009 and 2022, best in finals in 2018 and stints as senior captain and reserves coach.
“You don’t really reflect or think about it too much, but then when it actually happens it was pretty overwhelming actually, with all the messages and phone calls and people coming up and shaking my hand.
“It was only then I realised it’s a pretty big thing and it’s a real honour to do it.”
While most of Salmon’s career has been at Simpson, he did make the move to Hampden League club Cobden over a decade ago with Leishman.
“We went and tested ourselves there at Cobden and played two years of senior footy, but then we had the pull of coming back home and luckily we did.
“Tom and I have actually played all our footy together our whole lives, we both went to Cobden at the same time and then came back to Simpson as assistant coaches under Adam Courtney, and luckily enough we won the flag that year (2015), so timing was everything then.”
A move last season to half back has helped extend Salmon’s career.
“I've actually really enjoyed the move, I did start my career at half back for a couple of years and then moved into the midfield and had been there ever since.
“You don’t get as banged up in the body or get as many hits and tackles, so I quite enjoy playing back there and just trying to direct a few and help a few of the young ones out to get into spots and positions.”
While playing with the likes of long-time teammates Leishman and De Jong is enjoyable for Salmon, so is playing with the next generation of Simpson stars.
“There’s a good mix, there’s a group of us there that have been playing together our whole lives really, but then there’s some good young ones coming up through and it’s fantastic to be part of their development.”
With teams now having played each other once, Simpson sits in sixth position, four per cent behind fifth placed South Colac.
“Our aim would be to definitely play finals footy again.
“I think we’re thereabouts and we’ve just gotta keep winning the games we should and being on the right side of the close ones and that would mean we should be playing finals hopefully.”
This Saturday the Tigers will host ninth placed Otway Districts at the Simpson Recreation Reserve.
The reserves match saw Birregurra score a 6.5.41 to 4.4.28 win.
Best for Simpson were Bailey Foster, Zach Anderson and Jaryd Duynhoven, with Jono Jennings kicking two goals.
The under 15 football saw Simpson have a convincing 7.16.58 to 2.1.13 win.
Olinto Ferrari, Ben Vogels and Lucas Woolstencroft were best for Simpson, with Harry Vogels kicking three goals and Ferrari two.
The Colac and District league featured the under 15 football for 'Read the Play' round, with skipper Ben Vogels winning the medal for showing everything that represents the Read the Play values - respect, courage and teamwork.
Top of the ladder Birregurra was too strong in the under 12 football, recording a 15.14.104 to 1.2.8 win.
Kaiden Teal kicked the only goal for the junior Tigers.
The A grade netball saw top of the ladder Birregurra score a 46-37 win.
Amy Pemberton, Milah Crole and Chloe Woods were the Tigers best in the loss, with Eliza Duynhoven scoring 22 goals and Shelby Cameron 13.
The B grade game saw a 32-28 win to Birregurra.
Ella Arndell, Georgia Arndell and Maddi Cunnington were best for Simpson, with Georgia Arndell shooting 18 goals and Cunnington 10.
Birregurra took out a close C grade game 31-30.
Sharni Mason, Kayla Hallyburton and Rachael Duynhoven were best in the loss for Simpson, with Hallyburton shooting 18 goals and Duynhoven 12.
The D grade game ended in a 26-26 draw.
Kellie Meade, Rebecca Foster and Kaylee Jansen were best for the Tigers, with Foster shooting 15 goals and Brianna Ferrari 11.
Simpson scored a 39-26 win in the 17 and under netball.
Anna Robb, Tyra Sambell and Tara Robertson were best for the Tigers in the win, with Esha Crole shooting 21 goals and Kustom Robertson 18.
Simpson also got the points in the 15 and under netball with a 28-19 win.
Imogen McVilly, Grace Bowman and Halle Barake were best for the Tigers.
The 13 and under netball saw Birregurra win 14-11.
Alexis Barake, Mia Arndell and Nyha Ford were best for the junior Tigers in the loss.
Read More: Simpson