David Simmons
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | December 6, 1984 | |
| Place of birth | Sutherland, Australia | |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (186 cm) | |
| Nickname | The Monz | |
| Position | Fullback | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 2003 - 2006 | Cronulla Sharks | 61 (132) |
| Representative teams** | ||
| 2006 | City | 1 (4) |
|
* Professional club appearances and points |
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David Simmons (born December 6, 1984 in Sutherland, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is at fullback, although he spent the large majority of his first two years of his first grade career playing on the wing, while David Peachey was the Sharks fullback.
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[edit] Childhood and 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.
[edit] Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
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.
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.
With David Peachey being forced out of the club for the beginning of the 2006 season by Simmons' political backers, Simmons has now been presented with the opportunity to cement his spot in his preferred position of 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 yet was maligned by a select few critics for his defensive effort during the game.
[edit] Career playing statistics
[edit] Point scoring summary
| Games | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 33 | - | - | 132 |
[edit] Matches played
| Team | Matches | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 61 | 2003 - present |
| City | 1 | 2006 |
[edit] Quotations
"The toughest times are during injury or sickness or when I’m playing badly. They’re times when I say ‘Why God?’. But looking back they are the times God has taught me great lessons." (David Simmons, 2005)
[edit] Religion
David Simmons is a born again Christian of Anglican faith, becoming one after attending a youth group at a local church while still at school. He now leads a youth group himself at the same church he was converted in several years ago.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- "Match Review - Round 22, 2003" by Rob Willis, Sharks Forever, retrieved June 16, 2006
- "For the love of God and the game", Sydney Anglicans, retrieved June 16, 2006
