Sport
21 May, 2025
Milestones for Tigers
SIMPSON celebrated significant milestones for three of the Tigers favourite sons on the weekend.
Brenton De Jong and Tom Leishman ran out for the 200th and 250th time respectively at senior level for the yellow and black.
Reserves legend Jason 'Bo' Kordupel played his 300th game of CDFNL football.
For De Jong, a multiple best and fairest winner, reaching the 200-game mark saw him achieve life membership at the club he grew up at.
“When I started out in senior ranks, I remember looking up to the life members and their great contributions; it’s an honour to now be part of that group,” De Jong said.
De Jong, who has strong family ties to the Tigers, rates the 2014 and 2015 senior premierships as the highlights of his career.
Known for his blistering pace, De Jong started his career on the wing, spent some seasons in defence “usually on the opposition’s fastest forward,” but has now returned to his customary wing position.
The 32 year-old, who has dealt with wrist, shoulder and knee injuries over the years, has nearly watched as many games as he has played, and has no plans to finish up.
“I still enjoy it, it’s a great club to be at.”
Leishman has stamped himself as a true modern day great of the Tigers in his 250 games.
The midfielder, affectionately known as ‘Sauce’, is also a premiership player and best and fairest winner.
Leishman served as club senior coach for five years, and played 47 games in his stint at Hampden League team Cobden.
De Jong said the club put on a great night for the trio on Saturday night.
“We had our reverse raffle so there was a huge crowd there, the club really looked after us, it’s fair to say Tom, Bo and myself didn't have to buy a beer at any stage,” he said.
The 300 game mark has been a long time coming for ‘Big Bo’, Jason Kordupel.
The ultimate ressie, Kordupel’s tally consists of 231 games for Simpson and 69 games in a four year stint as coach of the Otway Districts reserves, with “just a handful of senior games” included.
“I still love playing, if I didn’t love doing it I wouldn’t still be playing,” he said.
“It’s a day off the farm.”
The 35 year old was thrilled to have his wife and two young boys at the game, noting the community aspect of the club.
“Everyone looks out for each other, it’s a great place to have your kids run around, it’s a second family for us up there (at Simpson).
“I’m still playing with guys I played junior footy with, I really love that that happens.”
Kordupel conceded he doesn’t train much anymore, but has rarely missed a game.
“I’ve missed one game due to injury and the odd game due to 'indiscretions’, I believe in turning up and playing every week no matter what you've got on.”
The social side has been important over the years for Kordupel, who enjoys holding court at the bar and the “KFC and long necks” on the way back from away games in Colac.
The ruckman, who said he’s “told the boys I've just signed up for two more years,” will play for as long as he can.
“The only thing that would stop me is if I was keeping a kid out of a game,” he said.
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