This weekend’s clash with Fremantle will be the first game in orange and charcoal for the club’s gentle GIANT, Dawson Simpson.

After playing 28 games for Geelong over eight years, Simpson signed with the GIANTS as a back-up to Shane Mumford at the start of 2016.

With Mumford playing almost every game last year, there were limited opportunities for Simpson in 2016, who instead played a leading role in the GIANTS’ NEAFL Premiership-winning side.

Not surprisingly, the 210cm GIANT couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he spoke about the long road to his impending GIANTS debut. 

“I would be lying if I said that there weren’t times when I was frustrated and thought that my form was good enough to get a spot,” Simpson said. 

“Now that I’m getting a chance it’s been a long time coming so it has that little bit more feeling for me.

“I’m really confident and excited that I can come in and play my role for this team.”

It’s been over two years since Simpson played AFL football there were plenty of highs and lows in between, as well as the challenge of moving his young family to Sydney.

Now settled, with finacee Allira working at the GIANTS and their almost-two year old daughter Isla a regular feature at the club, Simpson said he was keen to repay the faith.

“I really think given the opportunity people when they are shown a bit of faith from a club and they get a chance to repay it really special for the player,” he said.

“The club’s confidence and willingness to put time into me gave me a lot of feeling that I didn’t want to let them down.

“Something I like to do is bring the spirit and the energy to the boys so if I can help the team in another way it helps me.

“If I can be that man who can be reliable and bring the heartbeat to the team I’m happy to hang my hat on that.”

Co-captain Callan Ward was full of admiration the hard work and dedication Simpson had put in across the past 18 months and was the one to break the news to Simpson about his debut.

“On the field, he’s just got that real competitive edge to him, he never stops trying and his work rate is extremely high,” Ward said.

“The boys are all extremely excited to play with him.”

The GIANTS take on Fremantle as the showpiece game in the 2017 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round at 2.10pm on Saturday, July 29 at Spotless Stadium. Click here for tickets.