STAR Carlton defender Kade Simpson is officially an AFL Life Member.

The honour was bestowed on the 33-year-old during last night’s AFL season launch at Forum Melbourne, with 1981 and ’82 Carlton premiership captain Mike Fitzpatrick also awarded AFL Life Membership.

One of the competition’s most durable competitors, Simpson is 14 games shy of joining Carlton legends Craig Bradley, Bruce Doull, John Nicholls and Stephen Silvagni in the Blues’ illustrious 300-game club.

The 300-game milestone will add to the revered Blue’s long list of achievements, which includes the 2013 John Nicholls Medal, 2008 Jim Stynes Medal and four International Rules Series representations.



Kade Simpson is presented with his life membership by Richard Goyder, Chairman of the AFL. (Photo: AFL Media)

He was among seven players and umpires who qualified automatically for AFL Life Membership after reaching 300 total AFL games (includes pre-season matches) in 2017, joined by Eddie Betts, Chris Donlon, Steve Johnson, Jordan Lewis, Andrew Mackie and Shaun Ryan.

League greats Fitzpatrick, Rex Hunt and Michael Long rounded out the 2018 group.



The newest AFL Life Members take to the stage. (Photo: AFL Media)



Kade Simpson

286 games for Carlton, 2003-17.

29 pre-season games for Carlton.

Eight games for Australia.

Best and Fairest 2013.



Mike Fitzpatrick

97 games for Subiaco 1970-74, kicking 77 goals.

150 games for Carlton 1975-83, kicking 150 goals.

11 games for Western Australia, kicking seven goals.

Two games for Victoria, kicking one goal.

Premierships 1973, 1979, 1981, 1982.

Club Best and Fairest 1973, 1974, 1979.

Club Captain 1980-83.

All Australian 1982.

Carlton Team of the Century.