North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin has praised 'team-first footy' for getting his side over the line after producing a huge captain's effort to set up his side's maiden win in 2024 on return from injury.
Simpkin nailed a long-range set shot, courtesy of a 50/50 holding the ball decision, to help pinch back the lead after letting a second half advantage slip before Paul Curtis put the finishing touches on for a nine-point victory over West Coast in Perth.
It was "absolutely" the right call, he said with a grin post-match.
The Eagles rallied late with six goals to North's three in the final term, Simpkin's two set shots bookending West Coast's fightback to keep the home side from snatching a come-from-behind win.
Speaking with NMFC media in the sheds, Simpkin distanced himself from personal accolades in applauding a full-team performance.
"Pure joy. (I'm) just so pumped for a few of the young guys. We've been working our asses off for the last however long...some of these guys have gone 10-15 games without the win, so to see the enjoyment on their face, the excitement, just for everyone, the whole club, our fans...to see so many faces in the cheer squad, week in, week out, to see them and celebrate with them (it's) just an absolute awesome feeling," he said.
"It's just a whole team effort.
"The message was 'just keep playing our way', team-first footy, simple brilliance, no one had to do anything spectacular. Just keep playing team-first footy and that's what's going to get us to win and at the end of the day, that's what happened."
Simpkin held back emotions saying it was up there with the best wins of his career.
To go with his two late goals, the returning skipper racked up 26 touches and had a major impact around the ground in his first game back from a month on the sidelines with a quad injury.
North coach Alastair Clarkson was full of praise for Simpkin in his post-match press conference.
"The spirit and morale in their group has been really, really strong for the whole of the year despite the losses," he said.
"Simpkin, our captain, kicked two really, really important goals for us in the last quarter, but if you go to early in the game his first three or four contests, it actually really set the scene for your whole side.
"He's missed three or four games...when you're a side developing and trying to get a little momentum and continuity and stability in your side, having your skipper out of your side is a real blow.
"I thought his return to the side today was really important for us."
North return to Melbourne to host defending premiers Collingwood next week.
