Jamie Simpson (born 6 September 1986) is a coach with the Central Queensland Capras, a feeder club for the NRL club the Brisbane Broncos in the Queensland Cup and a former rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. Simpson played as a and as a . Simpson also played as a lock and in his schoolboy years at St. Brendan's College, Yeppoon. Simpson is an avid worker in the community and is an ambassador for The Men of League Foundation and Lymphoma Australia.
Background
Simpson was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
Early life and cancer survival
Simpson was convinced by his mother to join the Fitzroy Junior Rugby League club while a young student at the Rockhampton primary school 'The Hall'. His obvious natural skill was complemented by an occasionally hostile temperament. He decided to attend St. Brendan's College in Yeppoon for its rugby league program. It was there that Simpson developed greater self-discipline, with coach Terry Hansen observing "I knew he'd turned the corner" after an on-field incident in 2001 where Simpson refused to respond to an opposing player's punches after the ball was played.
In late 2001, he was selected in the school's 1st XIII at age 15. In June 2002, Simpson represented St Brendan's College at Confraternity Carnival for the 2nd XIII. In August the same year, Jamie was part of the only 2nd XIII to win the local Open Schoolboys competition against Nth Rocky High School after the 1st XIII withdrew to compete in the arrive alive competition. This historic win came after an overtime game which saw Jamie play a high-impact game. Hundreds of students invaded the pitch at full-time to be part of the full-time war cry and celebration.
However, in August 2002 he was diagnosed with cancer. Simpson played what could potentially have been his last game, a pre-season match against Kirwan State High School, prior to his team being informed of the diagnosis.
From 2002 to 2003, Simpson was undergoing chemotherapy for life-threatening Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite this, he continued to be involved in rugby league by volunteering as an assistant coach for a school's 2nd XIII team.
Coach Mannie Navarro and his wife Ek were so moved with Simpson's courageous, selfless optimism that they later named their third son James Neal Navarro 11.11.2008 after Jamie. While hospitalised in isolation in late 2003, Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett gave him an autographed copy of his book Don't Die with the Music in You with a personal message: "Tough time comes and goes, but tough guys last forever" and was also encouraged to pursue a professional career by family friend Scott Minto.
After finally beating cancer, Simpson returned to St. Brendan's College to complete his senior education in 2004, with a newfound determination to make the most of his abilities. As part of a victorious St. Brendan's side, he was awarded player of the Confraternity Carnival, and later represented Queensland Schoolboys. Simpson was rumored to have been pursued by several clubs, ultimately settling on the Brisbane Broncos.
Simpson was South Sydney's nominee for the 2009 Ken Stephen Medal for Services to the Community for his work in helping and visiting young people with cancer.
Early career
Simpson started his senior career for Broncos feeder clubs Aspley and the Toowoomba Clydesdales in 2005-2006. Simpson was a frequent try-scorer in the QLD Cup for Aspley, and gained representative honours for the Queensland City origin side in 2007, he was overlooked for selection in first-grade for the Broncos in favor of older players.
First-Grade career
Simpson was then lured to the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2008 NRL season. Injury delayed his first grade début in until round 13, where he scored a try against the New Zealand Warriors. Once given the opportunity in the NRL, Simpson's début season was a major success. Commentators believe that Simpson's performance was a major component of a mid season resurgence for the Rabbitohs, even relegating former international Nigel Vagana from inclusion in the side.
Simpson's 2009 season included an accidental collision with a referee in round 19, and a hat trick of tries in round 20.
On 14 January 2011 it had been announced that Simpson had signed for Huddersfield Giants on a 3 year deal. However, he only played nine times for them and was unavailable to play for four months following shoulder surgery in April. The Giants released him from contract on 16 December 2011 and he was expected to return to the NRL in Australia.