Jy Simpkin’s highest disposal tally in his first 35 AFL games -22.  

He’s now bettered that mark three times in his last eight appearances, with the 21-year-old coming of age in a midfield role.

A 30-possession, 11-clearance effort on Saturday night was arguably the best game of his career so far.

“We’ve put Jy in the middle and given him a little bit more of an opportunity, and he’s really taken that,” interim coach Rhyce Shaw told 3AW.

“I think Jy’s one of the guys that’s really been driving the group, and his first quarter (against Collingwood) really setup the whole game on its own, which the rest of the group followed.”

North’s number 12 received nine votes from the coaches in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year, and while Shaw wouldn’t reveal if he’d given Simpkin the perfect five himself, he couldn’t have been more impressed with the performance.

“We’re really pleased with the way Jy’s tracking,” Shaw said.

“He’s a fantastic young kid and he’s put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and given himself every opportunity to succeed, which is the way you want to see a kid go about it.

“I’m really pleased with the way he’s going and all the other coaches are as well.”