North skipper overcome with emotion during heartfelt interview
After taking down the Tigers by four points at the MCG, Simpkin was speaking with Fox Sports' Sarah Jones when he was asked about his tough week.
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The 27-year-old was away from the club during the week as he and his family said their goodbyes to his nan.
Talking about the week and his nan, Simpkin was overcome with emotion.
Watch the heartfelt scenes in the video player above
'Tough week, yeah. Obviously nan passing away was tough on myself, the family, everyone back home,' said the Roos captain, who is from Mooroopna in northern Victoria.
'But it happens and it's life, and I'm just so glad, as a family, I got to be there with her for her last few breaths and her last couple of hours.
'And I'm just super proud the boys got the job done for me today, and I know nan and pop will be up there looking (down) very proud.'
Simpkin took to Instagram during the week to honour his nan in a post that was flooded with love from those within the AFL.
'Will miss your smile nan, you're with pop now. I love you,' Simpkin captioned his post.
The heartfelt scenes came after North produced only their second win of the season thanks to a game-saving mark from Toby Pink.
With one last surge at victory, Tigers youngster Kaleb Smith sent a long ball deep into attack in the Tom Lynch direction, but with strength Pink bustled Lynch out of the way to take a strong grab with 40 seconds left.
It would prove to be the last meaningful foray by either side as the Kangaroos held on for a 12.6 (78) to 11.8 (74) victory.
But the Tigers were left to rue a controversial umpiring non-decision as North's Luke Davies-Uniacke appeared to be very fortunate not to be penalised for deliberately sending the ball out of bounds with a handball in Richmond's forward pocket with 1:28 to go. If the free kick was paid, it would've given Richmond a chance to re-take the lead.
After slipping behind at three-quarter time, the Tigers got their noses back in front early in the final quarter, but North hit back with the next two goals on the back of repeat forward 50s and opened up a 12-point lead.
The Kangas could've iced the game, but squandered shots on goal from George Wardlaw, Simpkin and Jack Darling kept Richmond alive.
Tom Lynch cut the margin to six points shortly after, but it was then Richmond's turn to be wasteful in front of goal with the game on the line as Kane McAuliffe and Tim Taranto sprayed their set shots to claw the Tigers within four points with 4:36 remaining. They would prove to be the last scores of the game.
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