Dawson Simpson’s mother Rosie the inspiration behind hardworking GWS Giants ruckman

GWS Giants ruckman Dawson Simpson says he has his mother, who worked three jobs to raise him, to thank for having him poised for a breakout AFL season.

Dawson Simpson is poised for a breakout AFL season at 30 years of age. Picture. Phil Hillyard.

GWS can thank the Mother-Son Rule for delivering them the Giant who makes even Mummy look small.

Dawson Simpson is the third biggest footballer in AFL history, measuring only a centimetre shy of joint-record holders Mason Cox and Aaron Sandilands (both 211cm), and towering over Giants ruck ally Shane Mumford (199cm).

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But for a Man Mountain who has played just 37 matches in a decade of AFL football, it’s clear there’s a much deeper force that has driven Simpson to the point where the Giants believe he is poised for his breakout AFL season, aged 30.

Simpson’s uncompromising and selfless attitude to life was shaped by his mother, Rosie, who worked three jobs to raise him and his two sisters on a farm in the tiny Victorian town of Barnawartha on the banks of the Indigo Creek.

Rosie Jansen worked for the local council, as a cleaner at her kids’ primary school and provided a private home care service for old people to ensure Simpson and his sisters never went without.

Dawson Simpson competes with Charlie Dixon in a ruck duel last season. Picture: Getty Images.

After school, while mum was working, Simpson would collect and chop wood for the fire, while his sisters cooked dinner.

As they say, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Simpson was in the workforce by 16, and had enlisted in the army, only to be drafted by Geelong instead.

In an era where most of his teammates have arrived in the AFL via a golden chariot straight from school, Simpson is a qualified carpenter and personal trainer, who still runs part-time classes for Giants staff at Sydney Olympic Park.

Simpson has had three back operations, one each on his knee, shoulder and wrist, and last year he broke his leg. But tomorrow he will line-up in the ruck once more and is determined to make a round one statement against Essendon at Giants Stadium.

Dawson Simpson uses his size to win a centre bounce hit out against St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein.

Once rivals, Dawson Simpson and Shane Mumford will compete for GWS’ No. 1 ruck role this year. Phil Hillyard

Teammates joke that Simpson is the one teammate aspiring boxer Mumford doesn’t dare spar with.

A wise choice when you appreciate just how long Simpson (who also happens to be a black belt in karate) has been punching his way off the ropes.

“I do feel like I’m hitting my straps. I’m in my 12th year so I’m probably leaving my run a bit late! But one thing I’ve had over my career is I’ve had to work hard for pretty much all the games I’ve played,” Simpson told The Sunday Telegraph.

“If I get to play the whole season in this team, that would probably be my greatest achievement.

“I’m not just here to play. I’m here to have a real impact and try and win that premiership I’ve always been chasing.

“I’m 30 years old and feeling as good as I’ve felt in years.”

🎉 A big happy birthday to the big guy 💪

Have a great one, Dawson Simpson! 🎉#NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/KLNsto79ZX

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) February 16, 2019

Simpson is also close to his father who lived in town 20 minutes away and would visit the farm most weekends.

But Simpson says the toughness of mother, Rosie — now grandmother to his two children Isla and Nash and full-time carer for his own pop back in the bush — has formed the cornerstone of his personality.

“Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. That’s something I’ve been doing the last few years in Sydney,” said Simpson.

“I’ve always been looking at jobs and where I can be outside of footy and just taking it as it comes.

“We were three kids just living with my mum so it was a bit tough. We certainly made the most of what we had.

“It gives you an appreciation of life I suppose. I wouldn’t change it to be honest as far as the way it developed me as a person.

“I think that really gave me perspective and an appreciation of footy. Some of these young kids you see come straight from school into footy, they’re keen as mustard but perhaps they might not have as great a perspective in life.

“Mum was quite the trooper and I have a great appreciation of what she was able to do for us.”

Originally published as Dawson Simpson’s mother Rosie the inspiration behind hardworking GWS Giants ruckman