Sport
28 May, 2025
Rock to lead Tigers
SIMPSON Cricket Club, poised to play in the Colac District Cricket Association’s top grade for the first time, has announced the appointment of Jackson Rock as division one captain for the 2025/26 season.
“I’m super pumped, Simpson has a good outlook and the club seems to be heading in a strong direction,” Rock said.
The lure of a leadership role was the main factor in luring the premiership player away from Cobden, where he has spent his entire career.
“The opportunity to lead was a big one for me, it’s something I've been really keen to get into,” he said.
Rock’s friendship with Simpson president Zac Tesselaar got the initial discussions going, but he will have to acquaint himself with a different Simpson than the one he last played against.
“I haven’t seen Simpson since they last played division one (in the 2020/21 season in the South West competition), so I will be looking forward to seeing the current line-up and what they can do.”
An increased focus on training will be a priority for the new Simpson skipper.
“I’ll really work on getting everyone to training and running good sessions to prepare us for division one cricket,” Rock said.
“From talking to the Simpson boys I know they are keen to give the top grade a crack, they’re showing a fair bit of excitement.”
President Zac Tesselaar said the club was thrilled to secure someone with Jackson’s experience.
“He’s a great fella, easy to talk to and keen to share his experience, he will help give us that bit of professionalism we need heading up to division one,” he said.
Simpson also announced during the week that key player Nick Harding and 2024/25 recruits Zac Anderson and Hunter Reynolds had recommitted to the club for next season.
The Tigers fielded teams in division two and division three as well as a division four team that played four games in a short competition in 2024/25.
Tesselaar said the club aimed to field three men’s teams this coming season in divisions one, two and three.
“We’re very close to three full teams, a bit of hard work to do but we are confident we will get there,” he said.
Women’s and junior cricket remain a priority for the Tigers, Tesselaar adding that numbers were solid throughout, while also confirming Simpson would enter a team in the CDCA under 14 boys’ competition and exit the South West under 13 competition.
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