Adam Simpson Press Conference

NORTH Melbourne will have a new captain in 2009 after Adam Simpson announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down from the role.

Simpson replaced Anthony Stevens at the end of 2003 and is North's third longest-serving skipper behind Wayne Carey and Wayne Schimmelbusch.

"I think it's time to pass it on," he said from Arden Street.

"I've been doing it for five years now and always said I'd like to pass it on going into what could be my last year of footy.

"It gives me a real chance to work with some young kids – a bit more one-on-one stuff. I reckon when you're the leader of the club you speak on behalf of the group all the time and how the group's feeling. [So] I've missed out on a bit of that sort of stuff.

"I also want to help the new skipper – whoever it is – get through his first couple of years."

Simpson suggested his replacement could be one of four teammates – Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Brady Rawlings or Daniel Pratt – while senior coach Dean Laidley confirmed a decision would be made by the end of the month.

It will be encouraged by the input of players, coaches, administrators and the board.
"For me, he's been a wonderful support," Laidley said.

"The biggest thing for me is he's helped educate people underneath him and hence the candidates that he's spoken about, you'd probably assume it would come from one of those guys."

A veteran of 288 matches, Simpson added 21 in 2008 after missing two with a hip injury.
The 32-year-old's consistency was reflected in the club's Syd Barker Medal count – leading at the halfway mark of the season to finish eighth – and was second to Harvey in disposals.

"I'm 33 in February so I think it's pretty tough when you get to my age and you've got that responsibility (captaincy) as well," he said.

"Sometimes you've got to put a bit of work into yourself in terms of preparation and training as well. We've got a couple of leaders who I reckon might be ready, so I thought 'Why wait?' and, instead of making a tough decision perhaps mid-year, we could start fresh now.

"I also think that if you're captain in your last year and it doesn't go well, it could create a bit of a void for the next captain. I just look at (Melbourne's David) Neitz last year and I'm sure he would have punched out a good year if he had have finished it off.

"When he did decide to retire, it just looked like it was a bit of a struggle with it. Worst-case scenario, we wouldn't want that to happen."

The Roos made the finals in three of Simpson's five seasons as captain, including a preliminary final finish in 2007.

Simpson, the only active member of North's 1996 premiership side, will embark on a 15th season with the hope of becoming the club's third player to reach 300 games.