There was a good feature on Simmo in the Rd 15 AFL Record so I thought I'd post a bit of the info for those who didn't get to the game to read it for themselves.
TOP BILLING
After a below average debut season with Richmond Troy Simmonds has turned it all around in 2006. The big man has All-Australian material written all over him as he and the Tigers go from strength to strength.
By Ben Collins.
(The rest is in my words rather than copied verbatim from the article)
Troy's best mate, Luke North, was killed in a tragic head-on last October. They went to school together from the age of 12 and have been really close mates ever since. The hardest think for Troy to come to terms with is that Luke was in his prime and had so much to live for but it was all taken away from him so quickly.
It forced Troy to reassess his own life and where he's going, and reinforced the need to work hard at everything you do, and make the most of everything.
He often thinks of Luke on match days going to the footy, he doesn't want any regrets and wants to do all he can with his opportunity.
Terry built the match up against Lade up and told Troy he had the opportunity to ruck against Lade, who's been in great form all year. The words were a bit of motivational tool for Troy.
He tried not to get too distracted by it but was on edge and really looking forward to playing against a really good player. He said he went "OK" (OK translates to 12 kicks, 7 marks, 2 handballs, 15 hit-outs and two crucial goals)
Troy gives credit to Patto. He said "A great thing about Adam is he's got such a big engine that he really runs the opposition around and blows them up, which is great for when I go back in the ruck." It also allows him to go forward, he'd kicked 18 goals in 14 games this season. He aims to kick at least a goal a game.
Troy said with the game getting quicker the big loping ruckman is starting to drop out of the game. If you only play one position you could struggle so you need versatility.
He said it's good to strive for something like the AA ruckman but he doesn't go into games thinking about it. What really matters is the team perspective and they want to play finals foot.
He's looking long term and thinks he's at an age where he should be hitting his straps. He's doing all he can to do that, playing the best footy of his career, and has the confidence. If his body stand up he can't see any reason he can't keep playing good consistent football.
He really started growing when he was 18, he grew about 6 inches (15cm) in a year and didn't stop till he was 20-21. His body is about the ideal shape he wants it in now.
The subsequent pressure of a 5 year contract, much of it self-induced, resulted in an inconsistent debut season at Tigerland. It also didn't help that he was too heavy to play his best footy. He was playing more as a key forward where you need more power but he got too heavy to play ruck and he couldn't cover the ground and blew up too early in games.
He responded by shedding 4kgs over pre-season dropping to 99kgs and regaining his mobility.
He'd developed his speed at Freo and didn't want to lose that so worked with a sprinter friend (Adam Basil, a member of AUST. 4x100m relay team at Athens) He improved his speed off the mark and over 20 metres, something he considers one of his strengths for his size.
He also did a lot of longer, interval running with our mid-fielders to boost his endurance. Being at his ideal weight regained his running capacity and mobility, which has been a real key.
Alessio has been fantastic for him. He played against Steve, and Steve has played against all of the ruckmen going around now. They rucked differently so it brings a new angle to things.
"As a ruckman, you can't rely on doing the one thing the whole time, otherwise you'd be too predictable. You have to vary it. I'm still learning, so I've still got plenty of improvement left."
Thought it was a great article and worth sharing. Hope I haven't stepped on any toes. :-[
Sympathy on the loss of your good mate Troy, I know from experience it's something that will remain in your heart and influence your life always. Congratulations on your outstanding form and I hope you can dedicate a premiership medal to Luke in the very near future.
TOP BILLING
After a below average debut season with Richmond Troy Simmonds has turned it all around in 2006. The big man has All-Australian material written all over him as he and the Tigers go from strength to strength.
By Ben Collins.
(The rest is in my words rather than copied verbatim from the article)
Troy's best mate, Luke North, was killed in a tragic head-on last October. They went to school together from the age of 12 and have been really close mates ever since. The hardest think for Troy to come to terms with is that Luke was in his prime and had so much to live for but it was all taken away from him so quickly.
It forced Troy to reassess his own life and where he's going, and reinforced the need to work hard at everything you do, and make the most of everything.
He often thinks of Luke on match days going to the footy, he doesn't want any regrets and wants to do all he can with his opportunity.
Terry built the match up against Lade up and told Troy he had the opportunity to ruck against Lade, who's been in great form all year. The words were a bit of motivational tool for Troy.
He tried not to get too distracted by it but was on edge and really looking forward to playing against a really good player. He said he went "OK" (OK translates to 12 kicks, 7 marks, 2 handballs, 15 hit-outs and two crucial goals)
Troy gives credit to Patto. He said "A great thing about Adam is he's got such a big engine that he really runs the opposition around and blows them up, which is great for when I go back in the ruck." It also allows him to go forward, he'd kicked 18 goals in 14 games this season. He aims to kick at least a goal a game.
Troy said with the game getting quicker the big loping ruckman is starting to drop out of the game. If you only play one position you could struggle so you need versatility.
He said it's good to strive for something like the AA ruckman but he doesn't go into games thinking about it. What really matters is the team perspective and they want to play finals foot.
He's looking long term and thinks he's at an age where he should be hitting his straps. He's doing all he can to do that, playing the best footy of his career, and has the confidence. If his body stand up he can't see any reason he can't keep playing good consistent football.
He really started growing when he was 18, he grew about 6 inches (15cm) in a year and didn't stop till he was 20-21. His body is about the ideal shape he wants it in now.
The subsequent pressure of a 5 year contract, much of it self-induced, resulted in an inconsistent debut season at Tigerland. It also didn't help that he was too heavy to play his best footy. He was playing more as a key forward where you need more power but he got too heavy to play ruck and he couldn't cover the ground and blew up too early in games.
He responded by shedding 4kgs over pre-season dropping to 99kgs and regaining his mobility.
He'd developed his speed at Freo and didn't want to lose that so worked with a sprinter friend (Adam Basil, a member of AUST. 4x100m relay team at Athens) He improved his speed off the mark and over 20 metres, something he considers one of his strengths for his size.
He also did a lot of longer, interval running with our mid-fielders to boost his endurance. Being at his ideal weight regained his running capacity and mobility, which has been a real key.
Alessio has been fantastic for him. He played against Steve, and Steve has played against all of the ruckmen going around now. They rucked differently so it brings a new angle to things.
"As a ruckman, you can't rely on doing the one thing the whole time, otherwise you'd be too predictable. You have to vary it. I'm still learning, so I've still got plenty of improvement left."
********************************
Thought it was a great article and worth sharing. Hope I haven't stepped on any toes. :-[
Sympathy on the loss of your good mate Troy, I know from experience it's something that will remain in your heart and influence your life always. Congratulations on your outstanding form and I hope you can dedicate a premiership medal to Luke in the very near future.
