IT SHOULD really be no surprise that the player who has run out alongside Ed Curnow the most times is Kade Simpson.

On 179 occasions, Curnow and Simpson were teammates in the Navy Blue, with Simpson the man to official welcome Curnow as a Life Member at a team breakfast on Monday morning.

The man who has played the third-most games for the Carlton Football Club addressed the playing group and football staff, and as was the case throughout his playing days, when Simpson spoke, people listen.

This is what Kade Simpson had to say about "one of his favourite teammates" throughout his time at Carlton.

I thought I better write a few things down. A few words to describe Ed off-field and on-field. 

Off-field: fun, always up for a laugh and a beer and a good time. Humble, respectful. A good family man, I’m rapt to see Dave and Cassie here and now creating your own family with Em: it’s about to get a little bit bigger as well.

Unique is a good way that describes Ed. Unique in the way you eat, unique is your haircuts that you get, unique in the way you dress. Ed is still the only bloke that I’ve seen that takes his clothes off before his shoes and socks.

Ed is one of those guys that really made you look forward to coming into the Club. You always knew you were going to have a laugh and have a good time. For me, every day turning up, it was good seeing Ed put a smile on my face and make work really enjoyable.

On-field, ‘Lloydy’ touched on it, but hard-working, competitive, selfless, consistent. I think the reason I loved playing alongside Ed is you knew he was really going to leave it all out there and do everything he could for the team to be better. That was probably why Ed is definitely up there with my favourite teammates of all time.

Not many people can say they made the place, the Club better than when found it. But you can definitely say that, Ed. What you have done for the Club, and what you continue to do, you make this place a better place.