THE REMARKABLE career of Carlton stalwart Kade Simpson is set to continue into an 18th season, with the reliable Blues veteran poised to sign a one-year contract extension.
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AFL.com.au understands the 35-year-old Simpson was presented with a contract offer by Blues officials earlier this week and will likely re-sign before season's end.
Both player and club were determined for Simpson to extend his career following yet another typically consistent campaign where he's averaged 20.8 disposals per game.
Simpson has been a fixture at Carlton since 2003. Picture: AFL Photos
It means Simpson will almost certainly leapfrog John Nicholls into fourth spot in career games for Carlton, having notched his 323rd appearance for the club last week.
Simpson finished second in the club's best and fairest last season and looks set to poll well again this year, having missed just four games in 2019 due to a hamstring injury.
He enjoyed the best performance of his season to date last Sunday, winning 33 disposals in the wet throughout a gruelling defeat to Richmond at the MCG.
However, Carlton opting to re-sign Simpson coincides with the news that fellow Blues veteran Dale Thomas will not be at the club next season, having not had his deal renewed.
In a relatively surprising decision made earlier this week, the Blues informed Thomas he would not be offered a new contract for season 2020 despite his late-career renaissance.
Thomas played his 250th game in Carlton's round 15 win over the Dogs. Picture: AFL Photos
He is expected to subsequently announce his AFL retirement on Friday, before playing his 100th game for the club during Saturday's clash with St Kilda at the MCG.
The second-oldest player on Carlton's list behind Simpson, Thomas had looked set for an extension beyond his current deal with the Blues following a strong spell of form.
The 32-year-old has averaged 19.6 disposals across half-back for Carlton this season, his second-best figures since his controversial free agency move from Collingwood in 2013.
His shock delisting follows a stellar performance against Richmond on Sunday that featured 32 disposals and seven tackles, the best numbers he has ever amassed at Carlton and the third-most possessions he has had throughout his glittering 256-game AFL career.
Thomas won a premiership and was an All Australian during his time at Collingwood.
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