David Simmons (rugby league)

David Simmons

Personal information
Full name	David Simmons
Nickname	The Monz
Born	6 December 1984 (1984-12-06) (age 26) Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia
Height	186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Wing, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2003–2009	Cronulla Sharks	112	54	0	0	216
2010–	Penrith Panthers	17	10	0	0	40
	Total	129	64	0	0	256
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2006	City	1	1	0	0	4
As of 28th March, 2011

David Simmons (born 6 December 1984 in Sutherland, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is at fullback, wing, or centre. David Simmons has recently signed with the Penrith Panthers for the 2010 season.

Biography

Early career

Being born and raised in the Sutherland Shire, David predominantly played soccer up until his late teens when a friend suggested he should try rugby league for his De La Salle school side, he did and was signed onto the Cronulla side as a junior not long after.

2003

After joining the Cronulla club Simmons quickly worked his way into the Sharks Jersey Flegg side, originally being positioned on the wing, he quickly became known for his agility, pace and ability to score tries. He was a part of the Sharks nearly undefeated 2003 Flegg side which would only lose one game for the entirety of the season, key performances for the side quickly elevated Simmons in only a few games into the Sharks Premier League side.

While in the Sharks premier league team Simmons was quickly shifted from his more common role on the wing to a new position in fullback; after several impressive performances he was quickly earmarked as a potential first grade fullback of the future.

After limited time in premier league he made his debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2003 against the Sydney Roosters in round 22 at Aussie Stadium yet again playing on the wing, he had an impressive game many times outpacing his opposite number in Todd Byrne.^[1]

2004-2005

With the new season in 2004 Simmons was again relegated to the Sharks premier league side for the early part of the season, after some more impressive performances he was yet again in the first grade side and picked up his first try at the top level against North Queensland in round 5. Simmons continued to impress on the wing and occasionally at fullback for the Sharks throughout the 2004 season as he continued to score on a frequent basis both in first grade and occasionally in the lower grades.

After gradually playing more and more first grade game over the 2004 season, 2005 was where Simmons would eventually cement his spot in the Sharks side, he would play in nearly every game for the season usually on the wing but also again occasionally at his preferred fullback when club stalwart David Peachey was either injured or playing in the halves. He would go on to become the clubs top try scorer for the season crossing the try line a total of sixteen times.

2006

With David Peachey leaving the club in 2006, Simmons took over at fullback. During the 2006 season David tasted his first representative experience being called up to the City Origin side in the annual City against Country match after Hazem El Masri had to withdraw because of injury. Simmons scored one try.

2007-2009

With the arrival of new coach Ricky Stuart, Simmons has played regular first grade in the centres or on the wing.

2010

Simmons has signed for two years with the Penrith Panthers. Panthers CEO Mick Leary told press, "David is a proven NRL player",^[1] but a shoulder injury in the trial match meant he was injured until round 14 but in the week after he played with Daine Laurie, another injured Panther for the Windsor Wolves.^[2] Simmons made his Panthers first grade debut against the Dragons, Round 17 2010, scoring a try.

Religion

David Simmons is a Christian, becoming one after attending a youth group and hearing the gospel.

References

1. ^ "Penrith sign Simmons". Penrith Press. http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/panthers-sign-sharks-simmons/. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
2. ^ "Team Announcement". penrithpanthers.com. 15 June 2010. http://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=26822. Retrieved 15 June 2010. 

External links

• Cronulla Sharks profile
• David Simmons NRL Profile
• Sydney Anglicans David Simmons page

Other sources

1. "Match Review - Round 22, 2003" by Rob Willis, Sharks Forever, retrieved 16 June 2006
2. "For the love of God and the game", Sydney Anglicans, retrieved 16 June 2006

Persondata
Name	Simmons, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	6 December 1984
Place of birth	Sutherland, New South Wales
Date of death
Place of death