Superb Simpson lays forward platform
Steve Simpson never flinched when Newcastle coach Michael Hagan asked him to start in the front row against the New Zealand Warriors at Ericsson Stadium yesterday.  Simpson’s friend and fishing buddy Matt Parsons was ruled out after partially dislocating his shoulder at training the previous afternoon.  Hagan had no hesitation in partnering Simpson with Josh Perry up front.  The boy from Broke, who has played 77 straight games since his first-grade debut in July, 1999, was tireless against the giant Warriors pack in Newcastle’s 32-14 victory.  Apart from his hard yards, Simpson’s offload to Danny Buderus set up Sean Rudder’s try in the 20th minute and he was involved in the lead-up to Timana Tahu’s try 17 minutes from the end. ‘That was the best game I have ever seen Simmo play,’ said a suitably impressed Andrew Johns, who believed Simpson should have toured with the Kangaroos last year.
‘(Warriors coach) Daniel Anderson told Hages that he classes Simmo as one of the top six players in the comp.  ‘He ‘s a shoo-in for Origin and from then on I think he’s going to play a long rep footy career.  ‘He just keeps going even when he’s knackered. You don’t have to ask him for any more because he just does it anyway.’  Hagan said Simpson’s performance inspired the rest of the forwards, especially younger bench men John Morris, Clint Newton and Jarrod O’Doherty.
‘Having Matt Parsons pull out yesterday and expecting Steve Simpson to assume the responsibility of playing in the front row, which he does at a moment’s notice, speaks volumes for his attitude and his performance,’ Hagan said.  ‘He was first-class. I thought Jarrod O’Doherty off the bench did his job very well too, which goes for the whole team generally speaking. Steve Simpson and Josh Perry up front set the foundation and Danny Buderus is convincing me that he should be No. 9 for NSW in a few weeks time on the back of how he played.  Simpson played down any discussion about his representative prospects, preferring to concentrate on doing his best for the Knights each week.  ‘I’ve played in the front row before so it wasn’t new for me,’ Simpson said.  ‘You just keep a little bit tighter on the ruck in defence and the same in attack and you don’t get out wide as much. It’s a little bit different but not too much.’ 

Simpson's Test snub surprises Knights -  08/10/2002,  Newcastle Herald 
Michael Hagan said Knights second-rower Steve Simpson was entitled to feel shattered about being dumped from the Australian Test team to play New Zealand at WestpacTrust Stadium on Saturday. Despite starting in Australia's record 64-10 thrashing of Great Britain three months ago, the 23-year-old Country Origin player of the year could not even crack it for a place in the 18-man squad to travel to Wellington this week. His place in the run-on side was effectively taken by Newcastle team-mate Ben Kennedy one of four Knights in the team. Centre Matt Gidley was recalled, having missed the Ashes Test in July, and hooker Danny Buderus and winger Timana Tahu retained their positions as expected. Captain and halfback Andrew Johns was not considered because of his back injury. 
Simpson played all three Origin games for NSW this year then made his international debut against Great Britain, helping Australia to their greatest winning margin in Anglo-Australian Test history. Hagan said he did not want to become involved in a slanging match with coach Chris Anderson or Test selectors but was puzzled by the selection of Hill and Menzies, whose teams did not even make the top eight, ahead of Simpson. `If you're an incumbent starting second-rower from a team that won their last Test by a record score, you would be extremely disappointed not to even get a place on the bench irrespective of other players being available and the form of a couple of people from the grand final,' Hagan said. `I think that's a fairly monumental demotion, isn't it?' Simpson's form tapered off after his heavy schedule during the representative season but he still finished strongly. Hagan said Simpson was affected by a virus during their back-to-back losses to the Dragons at the end of the season but the Knights found it impossible to rest him. Stoic and self-effacing as always, Simpson took the news in his stride. `It doesn't worry me too much,' he said. `I didn't play the last two weeks so that probably didn't help me a lot. `I've just got to work hard in the off-season and try to get back in those sides again next year.' 
 

Simpson ranked in the top five fastest players in the club over 40 meters during pre season testing.  Weighing just over 100 kg and  with great footwork, Simpson is pretty hard to handle.

Boy from Broke just won't break -  By Steve Mascord,  April 5 2003
Far from fragile: durable Newcastle forward Steve Simpson has clocked up a century of NRL games at the ripe old age of 23. Photo: Tim Clayton.  According to the records, Steve Simpson has missed three games since making his debut for Newcastle in 1999.  But two of those don't count.  A State of Origin forward last season, the 23-year-old from Broke, in the Hunter Valley, was stood down from club matches immediately preceding two of the interstate games. The Knights had the split round before Origin I and ... OK, he did miss one match."After the second Origin, I only had three days to recover," he insisted yesterday, as if being sidelined by injury once in four years made him some sort of wimp. "I had a corked thigh, I just couldn't run."
There's a degree of symmetry to Simpson's career. His 100th game was against the Eels at Parramatta and so was his first.  And the only game he missed through injury was Melbourne at EnergyAustralia Stadium last year. The same fixture marks his 101st game tonight. "I haven't had too many injuries so it [100 games] has rocked around a lot quicker than I thought it would," Simpson said. Only Tim Brasher has clocked up a century from 101 possible games, for Balmain in 1993. New Souths coach Paul Langmack reached three figures at 22 years and 26 days, the youngest in the NRL, but missed more matches on the way there.  But reaching the mark at the tender age of 23 is a milestone that passed relatively quietly for Simpson last Friday at Parramatta Stadium.  For a start, the home team's captain, Nathan Cayless, was also clocking up a century and it was his birthday, too. Then there was the fact that the Eels won 30-12.  But tonight, Simmo's parents will watch their son's 101st game in more friendly surrounds and with a better chance of a good result against the injury-hit Storm. Simpson, who also made his Test debut last year, said he was a bit more nervous before the Parramatta game than he normally was and a bit more concerned than usual at the loss.  "It would have been nicer to cap off your 100th game with a win but it can't be helped," he said. "I think we needed to sort out a few things. We needed to control the ball a bit better than we did last week and go into the game with a bit better attitude towards the way we're defending and a few different things."
Coach Michael Hagan took Simpson to the post-match media conference at Parramatta, in honour of his century. And while careful not to openly criticise referee Bill Harrigan, the young forward made it clear that being penalised 7-0 early in the match had taken its toll. It's a sentiment the passage of time has not erased.  "You're not quite sure ... different referees interpret differently," he said. "You've just got to get used to that and used to playing under different referees.  "We've got to be a little more dominant in the middle of the ruck this week as well. Last week, we didn't quite have the dominance we would have liked ... I think we got pinged on a few occasions because of that."
Having crossed swords with the Queensland pack over the past two years, Simpson seems certain to be named in NSW coach Phil Gould's 30-man Origin squad on Monday.  And the Knights have opened talks regarding a new three-year contract for the Singleton junior.  That will keep him at the club until the end of 2006, by which stage he'll probably be sheepish if he hasn't clocked up another 100.

Simpson to miss six games for Newcastle -  9 April 2003
Newcastle coach Michael Hagan reckons Steve Simpson is due for some long-service leave.
After all, the 23-year-old has missed only four games since making his National Rugby League first grade debut for the Knights in 1999.  He was stood down for two of those club matches because of Origin commitments, missed another with a corked thigh and was sidelined last weekend for his side's 44-28 thrashing of Melbourne. But Simpson, from Broke in the Hunter Valley, will miss at least six weeks after undergoing groin surgery. "He's missed two games (through injury) in the last 100," said Hagan today. That's not a bad effort so I guess he's entitled to some long service leave. He's the current Australian second-rower so it's obviously going to hurt with him not playing. It's not great timing from an Origin point of view but we're going to get him back a couple of weeks before then anyway and there's a Kangaroo tour at the end of the year too that I think he needs to keep in mind. "He ran yesterday and just wasn't confident that he could get through a game and it was something that needed to be repaired. It would've been a real battle to try to carry that for any number of weeks."
Simpson was named in coach Phil Gould's 33-man preliminary NSW squad for the Origin series, but the injury puts him in doubt for selection. The first Origin match will be held in Brisbane on June 11 and Simpson is scheduled to return in late May. "Other blokes have the opportunity to step up. Daniel Abraham and Matt Jobson have a pretty big job for us to do now with BK (Ben Kennedy) going back to lock. "There's no doubt losing Simmo is a pretty big blow and we haven't just lost him for this week, we're going to lose him for probably six to eight weeks."

Simpson Origin doubt - 10 April 2003 
NEWCASTLE and NSW forward Steve Simpson is in doubt for the State of Origin series after having groin surgery yesterday. Simpson was named in coach Phil Gould's 33-man preliminary NSW squad for the Origin series, but the injury puts a question mark over the Knights forward. 
The first Origin match will be held in Brisbane on June 11 and Simpson is scheduled to return in late May. While the news is a blow to the Knights, coach Michael Hagan believes his star forward is due for some long service leave. Simpson has missed only four games since making his first grade debut for the Knights in 1999. He was stood down for two of those club matches because of Origin commitments, missed another with a corked thigh and was sidelined last weekend for his side's 44-28 thrashing of Melbourne. But now he has been forced to rest after yesterday's surgery. "He's missed two games [through injury] in the last 100," said Hagan yesterday. "That's not a bad effort so I guess he's entitled to some long service leave. It's not great timing from an Origin point of view but we're going to get him back a couple of weeks before then anyway and there's a Kangaroo tour at the end of the year too that I think he needs to keep in mind. He ran [Tuesday] and just wasn't confident that he could get through a game and it was something that needed to be repaired. It would've been a real battle to try to carry that for any number of weeks." 
Knights prop Matt Parsons, one of his side's best against the Storm, conceded the loss of Simpson was a huge blow as the Knights prepare to take on the Bulldogs at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night. "He's the current Australian secondrower so it's obviously going to hurt with him not playing," said Parsons. "Other blokes have the opportunity to step up. Daniel Abraham and Matt Jobson have a pretty big job for us to do now. There's no doubt losing Simmo is a pretty big blow and we haven't just lost him for this week, we're going to lose him for probably six to eight weeks."

Playing it safe - Rugby League Week, April 16,  2003
Steve Simpson insists no representative football - not even the lure of State of Origin - will influence his decision on when to return from recent groin surgery.  The Newcastle back rower, one of the Knights best ever over the opening round, will be sidelined for five to six weeks after undergoing a groin operation last Wednesday.  While Simpson should be back one or two games before the first NSW team is announced, the Test forward says he won't be rushing his return unless the problem area has recovered 100 per cent.  "Its a long season and I knew I wouldn't be able to carry the injury all year. I should be back in time to get a few games under my belt before Origin but I won't be putting pressure on myself to rush back.  I want to be right at the back end of the year.  One of my goals is to make the Kangaroo tour so you've got to be playing well in August and September. But mainly for the Knights,  I want to be playing well come finals time so I can try and help this team to another premiership."  Simpson told RLW.  Simpson will have physiotherapy and rest up for a fortnight before he starts back into training with boxing, cycling and swimming.  Ask his thoughts about the Blues 33 man squad, the 102kg back rower adds: "Its a bit different because you're not usually thinking about Origin until after the City Country game.  But I think its especially good for the younger players who've been selected - it should give them some confidence."

Off contract player told to wait in line - The Sun Herald, 20 April 2003
The Newcastle Knights club is negotiating with No. 1 target Steve Simpson with all other players told that they will have to wait.  The club is hoping to move closer to a resolutions with Simpon on Tuesday.  Of the established players, Simpson, Josh Perry, Daniel Abraham and Robbie O'Davis all complete contracts at seasons end.  Football manager Mark Sargent faces an unenviable job, how many players the club loses will depend largely on how big the appetites are of the established four.

The Herald, 3 May 2003 -  The Knights have made a breakthrough in negotiations with backrower Steve Simpson and are not far away from resigning him for an other three years.  Knights football manager Mark Sargent had a positive meeting with Simpson and his manager, on Wednesday and further talks are planned for next week.

Simmo agrees to lucrative contract - The Herald,  10 May 2003
NSW and Australian back rower Steve Simpson has agreed to terms with the Newcastle Knights for four more years.  the announcement was made at an Excalibur Club lunch at Queens Wharf Brewery yesterday, bringing a fruitful end to weeks of negotiations between Knights football manager Mark Sargent and Simpsons manager George Mimis.  Simpson was only 20 when he signed has last contract, a three year deal which expires at the end of this season.  In that time he has developed into an Origin and Test player with 100 first grade games under his belt, and the new deal reflects that status.
Neither Simpson, nor Sargent would discuss financial details, but it is understood Simpson can earn in the ball park of $200,000 a season depending on incentives and bonuses for making representative teams.  Simpson, who hopes to return from groin surgery against the Roosters at Aussie Stadium tomorrow week, said he was relieved to have his immediate future settled. 'Its a great club and I never want to leave the joint.  I'm happy with the term and Im looking forward to staying here for another four years.  Its such a great club to play for and there's so many great players here, so you can achieve so much. We haven't missed the semis since I started playing first grade, so its good to know we can challenge for the comp every year. Thats a good a reason as any to stay."
Simpson has not played since suffering a groin injury in his 100th first grade game, against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium six weeks ago, but has recovered well from surgery.  He is resigned to missing next Fridays City-Country game in Gosford but hopes to enhance his State of Origin selection chances by ripping in against the Roosters, Sharks and Broncos in the next three weeks.  With Simpson now secured until the end of 2007, the Knights will step up negotiations with the next two players on their retention list - Josh Perry and Daniel Abraham - and try to re sign them before the June 30 tampering deadline.

Simpson's body blow dents Origin hopes  -  June 3 2003
Steve Simpson is only a rough chance to be fit for Origin III after tests yesterday revealed he had suffered a torn kidney in Sunday's win over Brisbane. Simpson is thought to have been favoured for a Blues starting berth but, after being ruled out for four to six weeks, is at long odds to play any part in the series. Robbie O'Davis (knee) is some possibility of playing on Friday week against St George Illawarra despite withdrawing from the Queensland side.

Pair offer Blues a solution  -  By James Hooper,  30 June 2003
Their coaches tried to talk them down but Blues selectors are bound to be talking them up next Monday.  Newcastle's Steve Simpson and Nathan Hindmarsh of Parramatta -- Origin football veterans at the age of 23 -- have emerged as the solution to the NSW backrow dilemma. Simpson was like a rampaging rhinoceros in the first half at EnergyAustralia Stadium yesterday, eating up the hard metres to set the Knights on course for victory.  Coaches Michael Hagan and Brian Smith wanted nothing of the country pairing being thrust into the NSW team after the Knights had outskilled the Eels.   Hagan added: "[Simpson] is probably still just finding his feet a little bit. Maybe Canterbury next week will get him just about ready for a recall if they need him."
Both Blues backrowers from Origin II -- Ben Kennedy and Craig Fitzgibbon -- are out through injury and suspension, wwith bench forward Bryan Fletcher another possible casualty. The only worry NSW will have over Simpson and Kennedy is their fitness. Both have missed much of the season with injuries.  But Simpson showed enough to suggest he would rise to the Origin arena yesterday.  Both players possess Test match experience and were members of the losing Blues Origin team last year.  "It would be great to play Origin again," Simpson said.  "Everyone loves playing for NSW. It's the best brand of footy.  The boys played really well in the first two matches. Everyone really gelled together. I was a little bit jealous of not being out there in the first game. But I guess that's only natural wanting to be out there."  NSW coach Phil Gould is a big fan of Simpson, although Manly's Steve Menzies is the other obvious contender.

Simpson resigned to Origin omission -  By BARRY TOOHEY,  05 July 2003
NEWCASTLE secondrower Steve Simpson's hopes of an Origin recall were in tatters last night after he was ruled out of tomorrow's clash against the Bulldogs through injury. And the Knights may be further hit today with fullback Robbie O'Davis also under an injury cloud and no certainty to play. The luckless Simpson has been ordered to rest for at least seven days after tearing a groin muscle at training on Thursday.  "I had a few problems there after the Parramatta game last weekend but thought it was just scar tissue playing up," he said last night.  "But they think I probably partially tore it in the game and finished the job at training yesterday.  Either way, I'll be out on Sunday and it is going to take around seven days of rest for it to settle down."
Simpson, who had groin surgery before suffering a badly bruised kidney which kept him out of Origin contention for the opening two games, was considered a strong hope of winning back a Blues spot for Origin 3 following Ben Kennedy's suspension and an injury to Craig Fitzgibbon.
Those hopes have now been dashed.  "There was a bit of talk in the papers about Origin but I was just concentrating on playing and getting some match fitness back," he said.  "I was trying not to look too far ahead but I have only had a couple of weeks back after the problems with my kidney. It is all just fairly frustrating at the moment.  Hopefully, this will be the end of the bad luck."
Simpson's injury has robbed the game of a potentially crucial Origin match-up between the Knights secondrower and Bulldogs' big man Willie Mason.  Both players would have been right in the Origin frame in the minds of selectors and would only have enhanced their chances with big games. As it now stands, Mason has a golden opportunity to further push his claims with Simpson sidelined. 

Simpson is good enough to bolt into Test team - By Phil Gould,  July 20 2003,  The Sun-Herald
In my column last Sunday I said that only those players who had competed in the State of Origin series should be considered for selection in the national team to be named tonight.  I am now prepared to make an exception.  I believe Newcastle second-rower Steve Simpson should be named on the bench to play New Zealand in this Test match.  Having looked at all the form from the three State of Origin games played, I believe NSW trio Jason Ryles, Craig Fitzgibbon and Ben Kennedy would have been automatic choices in the Test team.  They were among the most dominant forwards, particularly in Origins I and II.  All three are now unavailable, which will have selectors searching for a back-up utility forward to play from the interchange bench.
Simpson fits the role perfectly. He would have been a certainty for selection in the NSW team for game one but was unavailable because of injury.  He had an outstanding Origin series last year and represented his country in the record-breaking Test match against England that followed.  I watched his form closely on his return match for the Knights against the Panthers on Friday night, and I am convinced he is up to playing Test football. He would be my only bolter for the Australian team. The other 16 players pretty much pick themselves.

Knights  -  Rugby League Week,  30 July 2003
Steve Simpson has no regrets about losing his Australian jumper, the Knights backrower admitted he was surprised to even be mentioned among the candidates for last weeks Test against New Zealand.  Sidelined for a large chunk of the season with groin, kidney and back problems, Simpson was a late bolter for the test following the unavailability for NSW duo Ben Kennedy and Craig Fitzgibbon.  Blues coach Phil Gould was one of several league identities pushing for the workaholic back rowers inclusion on the Aussie bench, but Test selection opted for bulldogs cult hero Willie Mason and Souths captain Bryan fletcher.  "I certainly wasn't disappointed to miss selection, I was actually surprised people were saying I should be there.  I'd only been back for one game before the team was announced so I wasn't surprised when I wasn't included."  Simpson told RLW.

Simpson injury bad news for Knights
The Newcastle Knights have been dealt a major blow with news that Steve Simpson could be sidelined for up to six weeks.  An X-ray yesterday confirmed the rugby league Test second-rower has suffered a stress fracture in his foot.  Simpson, who has performed strongly for Newcastle in their first two wins over Penrith and Melbourne, says the problem surfaced earlier this week after a heavy training session.  "It was a fair session on the park this week and I made it through the session, but when I cooled down it was pretty sore and thought I had better go and do something about it then," he said.  It is a bitter blow for Simpson who missed much of last season due to injury. 
The 24-year-old will miss the chance to play his sixth Test for Australia in Newcastle on April 23.  "It's a shame because I put in so much work during the off-season and then a couple of games into the season this happens," Simpson said today.  "I'm very disappointed but I suppose there's not much I can do about it now."

Simpson out for three months - 2 April, 2004
Newcastle, already reeling from the loss of captain Andrew Johns for the remainder of the NRL season, sustained a further setback today when Test forward Steve Simpson was ruled out for three months.  Simpson was initially expected to miss only a month with a foot injury but the specialist confirmed the Knights' worst fears - the 24-year-old will need surgery and miss a significant chunk of the season.  Simpson will have an operation on Tuesday and is hopeful of being back by round 18.  "It progressed from four to six weeks, to six to eight and then eight to 10," Simpson said. "I might have played in eight to 10 weeks but they pretty much told me there was an 80-90 per cent chance I would have re-fractured it.  "I would have been pretty disappointed if I was in a cast for eight weeks and done it again." 
Simpson's absence will heap more pressure on the shoulders of Ben Kennedy - who has taken over the captaincy from Johhns and youngster Daniel Abraham. The injury has also created a vacancy in the Australian second row for the Anzac Test against New Zealand, to be played at EnergyAustralia Stadium on April 23. 

Knights - Inside Centre - The Sun Herald, 23 May 2004
Steve Simpson would have walked into the NSW team for State of Origin 1 had he been fit. but unfortunately he has needed crutches to get around. But things are looking up for the Newcastle second rower, who got the best news he has had all season on Monday when he visited his surgeon and was told he could remove the protective boot from his right foot and put away his crutches. Simpson, who is recovering from an operation that involved having two screws inserted to repair a very sensitive fracture, is now aiming at a return in the round 19 home game against Brisbane, on the weekend of July 16-18. He hasn't played since the Knights best the Storm 36-26 in Melbourne in round two. "I've started doing some work on the rower and the bike. I'm treading lightly at the moment, but after being limited to just doing upper body weights for so long it feelts great to step up a little bit. I'll be able to jog against in a month and get back into full training a couple of weeks later. Pretty soon after that I'll be ready to play."
Simpson, who missed the Origin series last year through injury before coming back strongly for the Knights and making the end of season Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, is naturally frustrated about being out for so long. But the solid form of the Knights and the lure o fthe end of season Tri Series between Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand in Great Britain drive him on. "The young guys at the Knights are doing a great job. They're playing with a lot of confidence." Simpson said.

Knights welcome back Simpson -  13 July, 2004
Steve Simpson will make a long-awaited return for Newcastle in its NRL clash with Brisbane at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.  Simpson will start on the bench after a 14-week stint on the sidelines with a foot injury, while the Knights also have NSW forwards Ben Kennedy and Danny Buderus and injured fullback Robbie O'Davis back on deck. Knights skipper Buderus said he expected good things in the closing stages of the premiership. "I would expect this football team to come up with some big results over the next eight weeks," he said.

Simpson out for six weeks -  19 July, 2004
Steve Simpson's rotten luck with injury continued today when it emerged he played the closing stages of yesterday's NRL match against Brisbane with a broken jaw. Simpson, making his return after missing most of the season with a serious foot injury, had x-rays today which revealed the extent of the problem. The 24-year-old, who toured with the Kangaroos at the end of last season, will undergo surgery tomorrow which will sideline him for 6-8 weeks.

Simpson a slim chance for Knights -  26 August, 2004
NEWCASTLE -  Forward Steve Simpson (broken jaw) is an outside chance of making a return
tomorrow night against the Bulldogs after playing just three matches this season. Fullback Mark Hughes may also be a late inclusion after scoring three tries since his comeback in premier league two weeks ago.

Knights pair step up to fill BK's big shoes - 20/11/2004, Newcastle Herald
THE departure of Ben Kennedy to Manly will heap even more responsibility on the still-young shoulders of Newcastle Knights forwards Steve Simpson and Daniel Abraham next season. Given their own injury problems this year, when they were restricted to just 15 games between them, Simpson and Abraham could be excused for wanting to run and hide from such a prospect. But the laconic, laidback back-rowers have embraced the challenge and know that if the Knights are to re-emerge as a premiership force in 2005, they must become leaders of the pack. Simpson, who turned 25 in September, and 23-year-old Abraham were not just Kennedy's teammates but were among his closest friends away from the game, so he will be sorely missed on all fronts. "I put whatever success I've had down to BK [Kennedy]," said Abraham, who broke his ankle in the City-Country game in May then refractured it after just two comeback matches in the final weeks of the season. "He took me aside a couple of years ago and showed me what you had to do if you wanted to make it, but it's up to me now and I need to put the last few years of experience to good use. Without BK there now, blokes like myself and Simmo, Josh [Perry] and Woolly [Adam Woolnough], we've got to take it upon ourselves to really set the platform." 
Simpson said Kennedy's energy and enthusiasm levels rubbed off on the players around him but the Knights would have to find a new catalyst to provide the grunt up front. "He's a big loss, for sure," Simpson said. "It would have been nice to see him still at the club, but that's the way it goes. Blokes like Abes [Abraham] and myself have got to step up now and take on a bit of extra responsibility, I suppose, but everything is going well so far. We've got a few new blokes at the club Kirk Reynoldson is a good player and a good bloke and at the moment it's a matter of everyone getting fit, getting to know each other and becoming mates, I suppose, then the footy and the combinations will come later." 
After three months on the sideline recovering from the initial surgery, Abraham had to go back under the knife a week before the end of the season to have a bone graft plus a metal plate and seven screws reinserted into his ankle. "I probably came back a little bit early but the specialist said that nine times out of 10 you get away with it," Abraham said. "Plus it was pretty desperate at the time because we needed to win our last couple of games to make the semis, and we were short of players because of all the injuries." 
Having been swimming and bike riding for the past few weeks, Abraham got off his crutches last Monday and hopes to start jogging before the team breaks for Christmas. "Then I could have a decent break at Christmas then rip right in again when we start again in January," he said. Simpson, who has represented NSW and Australia in the past three years, played only five matches in 2004 after he broke his foot in round two then broke his jaw in his comeback game. Having raced to his first 100 games in record time, he has spent far more time off the field than on it in the past two seasons and is desperate to make up for lost time. 
"Everything is good at the moment. It's the first off-season I've had for a while where I've gone in fully fit," Simpson said. "My foot's fine. It aches every now and then but I've spoken to blokes like Todd Lowrie and Robbie O'Davis who've had the same thing, and they just told me how they learnt to deal with it. You try to put the injuries and stuff behind you but you also try to learn from it. I've been making sure I'm getting massages, wearing the correct footwear, listening to my body if something doesn't feel right at training or whatever, and just getting everything in order."

Simmo shows true grit -  07/04/2005,  Newcastle Herald
IF they added the term players' player to the dictionary, the definition would read: Steve Simpson.  Even in one of the most turbulent periods in the club's 18-year history, Simpson epitomises the creed on which the Knights were founded to be the player others want to play with. Simpson's selfless attitude towards rugby league is admired by many and has never been more evident than in recent weeks. The exceptionally strong boy from Broke has cast aside any thoughts of trying to resurrect his representative career while his beloved blue and reds are struggling. The Knights have made their worst start to a season in the history of the club after thumping losses to Melbourne (48-10), Canberra (39-14) and North Queensland (52-18).  But Simpson has emerged from the carnage with his reputation intact. 
"Steve Simpson has been tremendous," Newcastle Knights coach Michael Hagan said. "It is certainly through no fault of Steve's that we've not controlled the football. "I think he has had one error in three games and missed one tackle, so his numbers and performances have been exceptionally good for the first three games." 
Not only has Simpson been a saint among the sinners, but he has also had to make the tough adjustment from playing in his favoured second-row position to the front row. It is for that reason the 2003 Australian representative could be overlooked by representative selectors.  Simpson played three games for NSW in the second row in the 2002 State of Origin series and has also played five Tests for his country in the back row.  But the Knights need a prop, so that is where he will play.  "It's good, I don't mind playing in the front row," the 25-year-old said. "I'd rather play second row, but we are struggling for numbers a bit at the moment, so I don't mind doing it." 
Simpson is also coming to terms with being back on the park after missing most of last season with a Jones fracture in his right foot. The injury restricted him to just three games and came on the back of an injury-interrupted 2003 season. Simpson made a stunning start to his first-grade career, playing 83 consecutive matches from his debut in 1999 against Parramatta. His 100th first-grade game, also against the Eels, on March 28, 2003, equalled a 10-year-old premiership record set by former NSW and Australian fullback Tim Brasher. The pair both played 100 out of a possible 101 games but tragically Simpson celebrated his magical mark by tearing a groin muscle. The injury required surgery and kept him out for the next eight weeks. Simpson played 17 of a possible 41 games in the last two years but is back and ready to help the Knights out of their early-season slump. "A few of the young players are learning a lot and improving every week, and I think as a side we are improving every week," Simpson said. "We are learning and hopefully we can steepen our learning curve in the next week or so. "Hopefully we will be right on Sunday and we can learn from what we did on Saturday night and in previous weeks." 
Simpson, like his coach Michael Hagan, knows there is no miracle cure to get the Knights back on track in 2005, but he has some good ideas on where they can start. "Just holding onto the fifty-fifty chances," Simpson said. "If there is a fifty-fifty chance there I think at the moment we maybe should be holding onto them rather than throwing them. In saying that, sometimes they come off and others they don't. We've just got to hold onto the ball at the right end of the field and start completing our sets. If we drop one then we have got to hold the next set, no matter what, and I think that has been our problem because we are dropping two or three in a row, and you just can't defend them." 
If the Knights kick-start their season with a win over South Sydney on Sunday, you can bet the name Steve Simpson will feature strongly in players' player voting. 
Simpson's selfless attitude towards rugby league is admired by many and has never been more evident than in recent weeks.

Simpson happy not to be up front -  23 April 2005
Much like Newcastle's NRL season, Steve Simpson's year hasn't really got off the ground yet.
With the Knights low on front rowers due to injuries and suspension, Knights coach Michael Hagan had to move the former Test second rower into the engine room for the early part of the season, where Simpson was forced do more of the hard yakka up the middle. But with Daniel Tolar, Matthew Kennedy and Adam Woolnough returning from injury and ex-St George Illawarra prop Craig Smith finally settled in after joining the club after the first few rounds, Simpson has been relieved of the front row burden. He returned to his favoured No.11 jumper in last week's loss to the New Zealand Warriors and will be there again as the Knights go in search of their first win of the season against an out-of-sorts Bulldogs outfit at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Simpson said he was happy to leave the dirty work to the likes of Smith and Tolar.  "It's not too flash up there in the front row, I'd much rather be playing in the second row and it's great to be back there," Simpson said.  "(Smith's) been great since he got here. He's really taken a good leadership role there. He's got a lot of experience and he passes it on to all the younger players and definitely takes the load off all the other senior guys shoulders."
Despite spending much of his time playing prop, Simpson said he had been happy with his form to date, but was hopeful that a return to his more natural position would see his game reach new heights and put him back in the frame for a berth in the City-Country game and State of Origin series later in the year.  "My form hasn't been too bad. In saying that it could be better though," Simpson said.  "I suppose it'd be nice to be thought of in terms of a representative jumper, but it's a bit hard when the side's not going well.  Obviously we haven't been playing that well the first few weeks, but I think last week we turned the corner in the first half. But we've just got to put it together for 80 minutes now, that's all we'll be trying to do tomorrow."

Simpson bolts from blue -  16 May, 2005
A QUICK look around a NSW rugby league team gathering indicated the sheer scale of Newcastle forward Steve Simpson's shock State of Origin selection today. Simpson ... only player named from outside squad. Every other member of the 17-strong team named today for May 25's State of Origin opener against Queensland at Brisbane arrived at the SCG wearing NSW team polo shirts. Management staff, even the physios, were wearing the distinctive grey and white shirts after all were fitted out at last week's 30-strong NSW squad announcement. Not Simpson - his last minute selection was indicated by the Newcastle club shirt and starry-eyed expression he wore when he arrived amid a huge media pack. And no wonder - Simpson, 25, will play his first game for NSW since 2002 after being the only player named in the Blues team who was not included in the initial 30-man squad last week. "It was a bit of a shock. I couldn't really believe it when I found out today - it's great news," said Simpson who played all three 2002 Origins and five Tests from 2002-03. "My fiance's father rang me up and said he heard it on the radio. "I said 'you're joking aren't you? I'm not even part of the 30' - it's a great surprise."
NSW selector Bob McCarthy today said Simpson "picked himself" on the Blues bench after a stirring, last minute effort for his win-less NRL side Newcastle against the Wests Tigers yesterday. Penrith backrower Trent Waterhouse was the odd man out despite playing in Australia's Test win over New Zealand at Brisbane on April 22. "Simpson didn't make the 30 but he was in the mix," McCarthy said. "We could have put him in there and made it 31 but we waited to see how he went on the weekend and you saw him, he was phenomenal. He picked himself the way he played yesterday."
NSW coach Ricky Stuart said the only contentious spots were a wing vacancy - snapped up by Melbourne debutant Matt King over Penrith's Luke Lewis - and the bench make-up. Simpson was picked on a mobile NSW bench also featuring regular utility Craig Wing, the only other debutant - Manly secondrower Anthony Watmough - and Bulldogs backrower and skipper Andrew Ryan but no specialist prop. Not helping Simpson's Origin case was Newcastle's worst season start – nine straight losses. "We are doing it a bit tough up there at the moment. It's great to get in these camps with guys who are doing well – it will rub off on me for sure," Simpson said.  But McCarthy said Newcastle's form was not considered. "You watch how the individual is going himself. Back in my day Ken Irvine was always the first picked in rep sides and Norths was bottom of the table – we look at the blokes with ability."
Simpson will cap a remarkable comeback from injury against a bigger Queensland pack on Wednesday week. After enduring groin problems, Simpson played just five NRL games last season due to a broken foot. "The last time I played Origin was '02. I've been injured ever since and missed the last two (Origins) in a row – it's nice to be fit," Simpson said. "Last year and the year before were a bit dusty. It's great to be able to play a few games, get a bit of fitness and confidence back."
Simpson joined Newcastle and NSW skipper Danny Buderus in the Blues team.

Blues call in the mozzie zapper -  May 17, 2005
Shock bench choice Steve Simpson was selected for NSW as part of a plan to exterminate Queensland's mosquito fleet in State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow week. Referring to one of Queensland's strengths - their small men running off inside passess from five-eighth Darren Lockyer - Blues chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said: "We don't want blokes sticking out lazy arms - we want to kill 'em." 
McCarthy told the Herald the reason for Newcastle second-rower Simpson's inclusion - after he did not make a 30-man squad named only a week ago - could be traced back to Origin II last yeear, which the Maroons won 22-18.  "I reckon we've got Queensland covered in the backs and the forwards," McCarthy said after the 17-man Blues team was announced yesterday. "But the big thing they've got going for them is Lockyer turning the ball back inside for blokes like [Billy] Slater and [Matt] Bowen. "That's how they won the second game last year. Lockyer kept turning it back inside and some of our blokes couldn't cover for it. They could all defend head-on but some couldn't move sideways quickly enough. "Simpson is in form and he's mobile. He's big enough to cover prop as well as second row off the bench but his lateral defence is still very good. All of the forwards we've picked are good that way. We want our blokes to nail the runners and I reckon the players we've picked will do that."
The NSW bench is a departure from the traditional set-up, with no player that could be called a specialist prop. But the tough Simpson has played a fair bit of football there. Slater, named at fullback for Queensland yesterday after playing on the wing in his first year of Origin last year, and his Maroons teammates - centre Shaun Berrigan, wingers Matt Sing and Ty Williams as well as reserve back Bowen - will all be looking to capitalise on Lockyer's gems. And now that he has been handed a mobile group of forwards, NSW coach Ricky Stuart said he would work on stopping the little flyers in their tracks. "Their little men can catch you on the inside," Stuart said. "It's something the selectors and myself looked at in picking the team and it's something I'll be working on in the preparation."
Phil Gould, the most successful NSW coach in Origin history with six series wins from eight campaigns, yesterday applauded the Blues selectors for naming the team they did. "I've been telling the selectors ever since I first started coaching NSW in 1992 that the most vulnerable players for NSW are the props," Gould said. "It's been a pressure point for such a long time. It used to be 'Alf' [Allan Langer] and 'Kevvy' [Kevin Walters] as the little men doing the damage for Queensland and now it's players like Slater and Bowen. I always wanted the most mobile front-rowers but I got a mixed bag over the years and I'm glad to see the team they've picked for this game. I think it's a good side."

Big League Round Eleven Edition: Simpson deserves his Blues place – by Neil Cadigan
Anyone who has criticised Steve Simpson’s shock selection in the NSW side – and there have been plenty – obviously hasn’t been watching the injury-ruined Newcastle Knights this season. Considering the Knights’ lot, and the fact Simpson had to plough headlong into an enormous workload after playing just five games last year after a wonderful Kangaroo tour, I’d suggest no player more deserved his selection in Origin 1 next Wednesday. Simpson’s form has been outstanding in a side missing so many stars. He has won the Knights’ players’ player award five times in nine games and coach Michael Hagan, ironically the Queensland coach, revealed he has given Simpson a place in his 3-2-1 weekly best player votes every game. "Considering our situation this year, I’d say he is in the best form of his career," Hagan said. "I was amazed he wasn’t in the NSW’s initial squad of 30 and as Queensland coach I’m not happy he’s there, even though I’m happy for Simmo."
With the Blues going into an Origin game for the first time since game one in 1998 without a specialist prop on the bench – that’s considering Brent Kite was playing in the front row for the Dragons last year, although previously a second-rower. That’s the benefit of Steve Simpson, he can play front or second row and even if one of the backs went down, he could slot into the centers too. He’s a great man for the job. 

‘Simmo’ no bolt from the blue – by Laurie Daley
I can understand people thinking Steve Simpson came like a bolt from the blue into the NSW side for Origin 1, but as strange as it may seem, he was always in the thoughts of the selectors even though we didn’t pick him in the initial 30-man squad. He’d only come back at the start of the season from virtually missing a whole year after playing on the 2003 Kangaroo tour and we didn’t want to put any pressure on him by choosing him in the squad, although we always knew he’d come into calculations once he had some football under his belt. It was nothing like Phil Bailey’s selection in ’03 which definitely was out of left field as we looked for a player to fill a particular role. ‘Bails’ had never been near Origin selection, whereas we knew exactly what ‘Simmo’ can do on the Origin stage. It was just that, as we sat don on Monday morning to formalise the team, listened to how Ricky Stuart wanted to play the game and anticipated the side Queensland would pick, Steve Simpson became the perfect man for the job off the bench. And his form has been excellent, something camouflaged by the fact Newcastle has not won a game. He’s had to play all over the place – from front row to center – but has been a damn good, consistent performer. He can attack and defend out wide or in close, has the mobility we need, can keep up with the speed of Origin and can play second row or go into the front row – which is imperative when you look at the make-up of the NSW side.
We’ve gone away from tradition and not included one specialist front-rower on the bench. But you can add Simpson to Ben Kennedy, Craig Fitzgibbon, Andrew Ryan and Anthony Watmough in the back row and there is a lot of skill, size and mobility there with Simpson and Ryan having the ability to step into the front line for brief periods while Jason Ryles and Luke Bailey have a breather. It’s obvious Queensland are going to throw a lot of little men at the Blues through the middle of the ruck – that is certainly our big danger, and we have to have plenty of players who can handle it. They’ll have Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston who are a danger with the ball, then Billy Slater, who combines brilliantly with dummy-half Cameron Smith, Matt Bowen, Shaun Berrigan and their two wingers, Ty Williams and Matt Sing all getting involved in tight, ready to pounce on any tired or lazy big men. That’s where they’ll target us – we had to have big men who can defend against agile little men. There’s no doubt Queensland is stronger than last year and have a lot more football in them and they simply had a lot more form players to choose from, as seen by Rhys Wesser and Scott Prince missing out and the fact that even with Willie Tonga, Brent Tate and Josh Hannay missing with injury, they were still able to pick a current Test center in Shaun Berrigan and a fantastic Origin competitor in Paul Bowman. And other than Slater, their entire backline is made up of Cowboys and Broncos who are two of the hot sides in the competition… so combinations won’t be a problem for them.  But we’re extremely confident in the team we’ve picked for NSW and every single player is in really good form – Trent Barrett has never played better, Brett Kimmorely has been dominant in a side near the top of the table, Mark Gasnier has been absolutely brilliant the past few weeks and the list goes on. Looking at both sides, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many players so close to the top of their form leading into a series. But Origin is always about more than club form. It’s about grinding it out for 80 minutes at a horrendous pace, of competing in every play, of not ever letting your attitude drop and blokes playing for each other… because just one error, one lapse in concentration or desire can lose a match, and a series.

Simpson's Origin escape clause - May 28, 2006
NEWCASTLE have moved to stop NSW Origin star Steve Simpson from exercising a clause in his contract which would allow him to quit the club at the end of the season. The second-rower is tied to the Knights next year but becomes a free agent if he plays six times for the Blues during the course of his deal; an appearance off the bench last Wednesday night was his fourth. "I think a couple of other clubs are aware the clause is there but I'm not sure how much interest there is at this stage," the 26-year-old said yesterday. "The club has got in touch with my manager in the last couple of days to get the ball rolling with some talks. If both parties are happy we can extend my contract before I actually play the six games and the clause comes into force."
Simpson said it was "too early to say at the minute" if he would stay in Newcastle, his only club since his first-grade debut in April 1999.
"It's tough when negotiations come around but it's a good spot to be in if you have some options," he said. Newcastle could gamble on Simpson not playing in all three Origin games, but chief executive Ken Conway said: "Barring injury, we expect him to play in all three games. "We have taken the clause into account in planning for our salary cap next year." 

Simpson looks forward to junior mentor role; Herald. Jun 4, 2005.
NEWCASTLE and NSW second-rower Steve Simpson has been appointed as the inaugural mentor of Western Suburbs Schoolboys junior rugby league club.
Fitting his commitments around his schedule with the Knights and the Blues, Simpson will be a regular visitor at the club's Ford Oval headquarters to work alongside coaching coordinator Ian Thompson.  "I know [Wests Schoolboys committee member] Wayne Franks, and I was only too happy to get involved with them when he asked me," Simpson said. "It's good to be able to put something back into the game. It's a bit of fun working with the kids, and they seem to get a lot of out of it."
Wests Schoolboys field teams from under sevens to under 16s. Players the calibre of Matt and Kurt Gidley, Anthony Tupou, Jarrod Mullen, Darren Treacy and Steve Storrie began their careers there. "Using what he's learnt from the Knights, and playing State of Origin and for Australia, Steve will help us refine our training methods and do some hands-on work with the kids," Franks said. "We're very excited about having someone of Steve's reputation as our inaugural mentor, and the kids are looking forward to having him around."
The club have arranged for some of their teams to play at half-time of the Rosellas' Tooheys Cup games at Harker Oval. Franks said were there were other projects in the pipeline, including a possible training camp at Myuna Bay. Promising utility player Riley Brown has agreed to terms with the Knights for another two years.
The 20-year-old Singleton junior, who is due back in a fortnight after tearing elbow ligaments in a pre-season trial, is the second off-contract player the Knights have retained since Danny Buderus signed a new four-year deal in April. Negotiations are continuing with Daniel Abraham, Josh Perry and Todd Lowrie.

Simpson in selfless state of mind for struggling Knights; Herald. Jun 20, 2006. 
SECOND-ROWER Steve Simpson is more concerned about helping the Knights get their groove back than retaining his NSW jersey for the State of Origin decider in Melbourne in a fortnight. After three straight defeats, coach Michael Hagan and his players will try to arrest the slide this week as they prepare to take on in-form Cronulla at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night. The Sharks (20 points) have won three in a row and seven of their past eight to surge past the sixth-placed Knights (18), whose previous win was a 22-12 victory over Canberra at EAS on May 20. Simpson was one of only a few Newcastle players who could be satisfied with their own performance in Sunday's 30-18 loss to the Warriors at Ericsson Stadium, and he is in no danger of losing his spot against the Sharks. But the 26-year-old workhorse is not as certain of retaining his Blues jersey for Origin III after NSW's 30-6 loss to Queensland in Brisbane on Wednesday. Simpson hopes to hear his name read out on Monday for the Telstra Dome decider on July 5 but is looking no further than Newcastle's next game.
"I'd definitely love another crack at Queensland," he said. "But the selectors will pick the side, so it's our of my hands. All you can do is play well and do your best and hope you're a chance to get in."
Simpson said the Knights were struggling for confidence, but he believed they could turn that around against the Sharks by getting "back to basics".
"It's only the simple things in the game that are letting us down, so if we can do that against Cronulla, it will put us in good stead," he said.
Simpson, meanwhile, felt confident of settling his future with the Knights soon after his manager, George Mimis, and club operations manager Stephen Crowe had a positive meeting last week. The Knights will be boosted by the return of NSW captain Danny Buderus (back) and possibly fullback David Seage (hamstring) for the Cronulla game. But Hagan was pleased with Nathan Hinton's NRL debut at fullback against the Warriors and would probably retain him if Seage was still unavailable. Prop Dan Tolar and back-rower Daniel Abraham could come into calculations, but five-eighth Jarrod Mullen is expected to return in Premier League if he is cleared from a broken hand. Utility Riley Brown, who deputised for Buderus at hooker against the Warriors, suffered a shoulder injury and is in doubt for the Cronulla game.

Simpson's selection triggers clause call; Herald. Jun 27, 2006. 
SECURING Steve Simpson's long-term future has become a matter of urgency for the Knights after NSW selectors retained the Newcastle second-rower for the State of Origin decider at Melbourne's Telstra Dome tomorrow week. Although Simpson is contracted until the end of next year, his selection for Origin III activated a clause making him a free agent this year. But the Knights hope to upgrade and extend that deal as soon as possible. Knights operations manager Stephen Crowe began negotiations with Simpson's manager, George Mimis, a fortnight ago and said the 26-year-old Singleton junior had no intention of leaving the club he has played 152 games for. Despite speculation to the contrary, Simpson kept his spot and will join Knights teammate and NSW captain Danny Buderus in a revamped Blues side chasing a record-breaking fourth straight Origin series win. NSW chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said Simpson would spend some time in the front row after selectors named Mark O'Meley on the bench as the only specialist prop to relieve starters Luke Bailey and Willie Mason.
"He's a pretty tough bastard. He's pretty useful to us because he can play in tight or he can play a bit wider on the edges," McCarthy said. Simpson was relieved to be given another chance for the Blues after speculation suggesting he would struggle to keep his spot in the wake of Queensland's 30-6 vic tory in Origin II a fortnight ago. The Knights have not approached Cowboys centre Josh Hannay, who was recalled to the Queensland side yesterday. "They're an intelligent club and that would be an intelligent signing," his manager, Jim Banaghan, said when asked about the link to Newcastle.  It is understood the Knights have not expressed interest in Hannay but could pursue him after July 1 if other options to replace Matt Gidley fell through.
 
Origin start gives Simpson chance to cash in - June 28, 2006
NSW forward Steve Simpson is set to become one of the biggest names on the player transfer market after his selection for Origin III enabled him to become a free agent. Simpson, whose contract with Newcastle wasn't due to expire for another year, will be able to negotiate with rival clubs after next Wednesday night's series decider as his appearance in the Telstra Dome clash activates an escape clause. The 26-year-old second-rower had the clause written into his contract when he last re-signed with the Knights at the end of the 2003 season, allowing him a release if he plays six Origin games. Having played all three matches of last year's series and the opening two games this season, Simpson's selection for the decider in Melbourne means he is now open to offers - and the Test star is certain to attract interest from other clubs. Brisbane, Sydney Roosters and North Queensland are known to be in the market for back-rowers, while he may also be a target for Parramatta, who will be coached next season by Newcastle's Michael Hagan. The Knights had already opened talks with Simpson's manager, George Mimis after anticipating that he would be retained for his eighth Origin appearance since debuting for NSW in 2002, but confirmation of his selection has made upgrading and extending the Singleton junior's contract a matter of urgency for the club. "I think George is going to meet with them again in the next week and we'll see what happens after that," Simpson said yesterday from Melbourne after the Blues' arrival in the Victorian capital. "I'd like to stay with Newcastle, but it would be silly of me not to consider any other offers as well."
After missing most of the 2004 season with a broken foot, Simpson has been a mainstay of the NSW side over the past two years and he admitted the clause was a good incentive. Despite the Knights finishing with the wooden spoon last year and their recent poor form, he and teammate Danny Buderus - the Blues captain - are among just five members of the NSW team to have played every match of the past two Origin series.

Simmo's a go; Knights back-rower says he's fit for Origin decider Herald. Jul 5, 2006. 
NEWCASTLE and NSW second-rower Steve Simpson has declared himself a certain starter for tonight's State of Origin decider. The 26-year-old dynamo and NSW captain Danny Buderus will fly the flag for the Knights at Melbourne's sold-out Telstra Dome as the Blues chase a record fourth straight series win.
It will be Simpson's ninth appearance for NSW. Buderus will play his 15th straight Origin game and ninth in a row as captain. Simpson caused a stir on Sunday when he ran with bench utility Ben Hornby, who suffered a groin strain at training last week, away from teammates. They later joined the squad to complete the session. Onlookers thought Simpson was under an injury cloud, and suspicion intensified when Dragons utility Dean Young joined the Blues on Monday as the emergency 18th man. But Simpson, who has been managing a chronic groin injury all season, said he was sticking to his regular rehabilitation routine and was in no doubt tonight. "There was a bit of a story doing the rounds that I was in doubt or something, but I'm fine, and I'm really looking forward to playing and hopefully wrapping up the series," Simpson said. The only question is whether Simpson will start, as named, alongside Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke O'Donnell in the back row. NSW coach Graham Murray has suggested in interviews in the past three days that he was considering using Simpson off the bench and starting Paul Gallen or Steve Menzies in his place for the opening 20 minutes. Another theory is Willie Mason, named in the front row, will replace Simpson in the second row and bench prop Mark O'Meley will start. Simpson has to play tonight to activate a clause in his contract which effectively makes him a free agent from the end of this season, despite having another year to run on his existing three-year deal with the Knights. Under the terms of that contract, it is understood he was to earn about $300,000 from the Knights next season an increase from the $225,000 he is on this year. But he will be open to offers from rival NRL clubs or rugby union for 2007 onwards if he plays tonight.

Simmo on the market; Knights Origin star tests waters for new contract - Herald. Jul 7, 2006. 
ORIGIN star Steve Simpson has activated a clause in his Knights contract and will consider offers from other clubs before signing the biggest deal of his rugby league career. Simpson has a three-year deal at the Knights which expires at the end of 2007. But he is now free to leave the club after this season because he has played six Origin games during the life of his current contract. Simpson and manager George Mimis will meet Knights operations manager Stephen Crowe in Sydney tomorrow. "I think we are having a chat with Crowey in Sydney on Saturday and we'll see how that goes," said Simpson, who will turn 27 in September. I suppose the ball has started rolling. I'd love to stay at the club, and they are definitely my first preference, but in saying that you have got to open your options up as well and have a look and see what's out there."
Simpson has played his entire career in the Hunter Valley after starting in Broke and playing in the Singleton junior competition. He joined the Knights in 1997, made his first-grade debut in 1999 and played his 150th first-grade game on June 3 against the Bulldogs. Simpson first played for NSW in 2002 and represented Australia in 2002 and 2003. He has been battling a chronic groin injury this season that is likely to need surgery at the end of the year. But he has not ruled out playing for the Kangaroos in the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand and Great Britain from October 14 to November 25 if selected. His priorities before then are to get the Knights into the best possible finals position and to get his future sorted out. "If I sign a four-year deal now, it will take me until I'm 31, so this is the biggest contract I think I'll sign," he said. "It is something that I've got to sit down and sort out with my family and work out what is really best for us."
Simpson returned to Newcastle yesterday sporting a corked calf muscle in his right leg but is confident he will play against Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night.

Knights injuries hurting - Simpson setback; Dec 6, 2006.
KNIGHTS' Kangaroo second-rower Steve Simpson has suffered a further injury setback and will be racing the clock to be fully fit for the start of next season.
Only six weeks after surgery on a torn groin, Simpson was back in hospital yesterday for an arthroscope to clean up a knee problem. The operation is expected to keep him off the training paddock for another four to six weeks and severely hamper his preparation for the start of the 2007 season. "It's frustrating, that's for sure," Simpson said yesterday. "I'd only just started running again after having the groin done and then the knee flared up. "I probably won't be running for another four to six weeks."
Simpson, who carried the groin injury for the majority of last season, said he felt something was not quite right with his right knee over the final rounds. "I didn't really know what it was and thought it might be okay with some rest," he said, adding the lack of training over the off- season would leave him underdone going into 2007.
Knights coach Brian Smith admitted he was concerned at the setback with Simpson, and with injuries to other players. "We are going to struggle to get the volume of work we need to get into several players," he said. "We are missing Clint Newton and Milton [Thaiday] and Riley [Brown] has just had a second operation on his hand. Reegan [Tanner] has had a setback with his knee, picking up an infection, so he's been back to have that tidied up and Dan Tolar has been struggling a bit. It hasn't been too flash."