The former Dandenong Stingrays player said Gotch's persistence in chasing his signature was also a factor in his decision to join Casey ahead of Frankston and Sandringham.

He hopes the move will give him the best chance of cracking back into the AFL after he was delisted by the Cats at the end of the 2009 season.

"Gotchy is a major reason I chose to play at Casey," Simpson said.

"I really like the way he coaches and I think we'll get along really well together.

"The strong connection with Melbourne helps my chances of getting another go at AFL level and, with the facilities out at Casey Fields, it made the decision easy."

The 20-year-old 196-centimetre tall key forward was taken by the Cats at pick 44 in the 2007 draft.

But persistent injury restricted him to only three VFL games last season and ultimately cost him his AFL career.

"Injuries really hurt my chances of keeping my spot. I was only able to play a couple of VFL games and a couple of NAB Cup games, so it made it really hard to prove myself."

Gotch was ecstatic that the Scorpions' hard work to get Simpson had paid off.

"I decided to put a lot of hard work into Scott because we need a player like him around," Gotch said. "He has great character, is really easy to get along with and is a great person to have around the club. He's had a really bad run with injuries in his time at Geelong, so if we can keep his body right and get him playing at a level I know he is capable of, he'll be fantastic for us."

Simpson is settling back into life after being employed as a full-time footballer. He has applied to start a business/commerce degree at Monash University next year and moved back into his family home.

"I've settled back into Mum's house now, which is great, and my sister is here too so it's nice to be back at home," he said.

While Simpson will be out to impress potential AFL clubs this season, he said he wouldn't be putting any added pressure on himself.

"I just really want to enjoy my footy this year and I think the results will flow from there.

"I'd love to get another chance at the highest level, so I'll work really hard this year to try and make that happen."

Simpson will be on a modified training schedule until February due to ongoing stress fractures in his ankle, but will no doubt slot straight into the Scorpions forward line and give them the marking target they have so desperately needed.