Carlton milestone man Kade Simpson was thankful to all the well wishers and grateful for all the plaudits that accompanied his 300th AFL game for the club.
But the 34-year-old admitted he was mightily relieved the Blues' fighting 13.12 (90) to 10.9 (69) loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG marked the end of a week of attention.
"It won't sink in until I've got the time to sit back and when I do look back I'll be pretty chuffed," Simpson said.
"I tried to enjoy the week but it was pretty hectic. I was uncomfortable with a lot of the attention, but it was enjoyable.
"I actually am glad that it's over. I usually don't get nervous before games ... but I got a bit of a knot in the stomach.
"I'm pretty glad it's over."
Simpson joined Carlton greats Craig Bradley (375), Bruce Doull (356), John Nicholls (328) and Stephen Silvagni (312) in passing the 300-game mark.
He showed no signs of slowing down, starring with 37 possessions.
"He's a heart-and-soul player and it's been a privilege to coach Simmo over the past three years," coach Brendon Bolton said.
"He's backed in everything (we do) ... he's just so focused on driving this young group.
"We're really lucky to have someone like him."
The brave Blues trailed by just two points at three-quarter time but Port booted the first four goals of the final term to seal the premiership points.
The loss consigned the last-placed Blues to a 1-13 record, the worst start to a season in the club's history.
"Wee're fighting to win ... with the win-loss ratio the way it is right now it would be easy not to fight," Bolton said.
"But this group has got the determination to try to get a result.
"They're just learning how to be consistent at it."
Share
