One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on November 21, 2024, 07:22:46 PM
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Welcome to Punt Rd, Tom :)
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Back the recruiters, a bit mind boggiling we have drafted 3 key fwds and Jobe Shanahan is still there but Simms.
Also a bit odd that we didn't downgrade as I'm sure Simms would have been there in the 30s.
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Thomas Sims
height: 199cm
D.O.B: 12-05-2006
Position: Ruck Forward
Club: Northern Knights
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
SNAPSHOT: “An intimidating physical presence either inside 50 or at the stoppages who covers the ground exceptionally well for his size with outstanding athleticism.” – Adrian Dixon
Thomas Sims from the Northern Knights is another exciting dual position prospect for many clubs ahead of the draft. The Parade College product boasts excellent athleticism and mobility for a player of his size and has quite strong hands, boasting plenty of upside overall.
Coming from an athletics background, Sims first started his junior football in the Northern Football League with Wallan before moving to Montmorency at 11 years old, where he would go on to represent the competition in interleague football at Under 15 level.
Sims would make his debut for the Northern Knights Under 18s as a bottom-ager in 2023, managing eight games for the season and kicking six goals. He also featured for the Montmorency Under 19s on eight occasions, kicking 15 goals and went on to make his senior debut for the club that same season.
Heading into 2024, Sims had not earned selection in either Vic Metro or the AFL Academy to start the season, however from Round 1 he made most, if not every post a winner. He started the season off with five goals in a big seven-goal win over the Western Jets and a few weeks later made the most of his opportunities against the Oakleigh Chargers with seven goals.
He would play a key role in Vic Metro’s National Championships title win which included a three-goal haul against Western Australia and also managed to play for Parade in the Herald Sun Shield finals win in August. To top it off, Sims’ testing at the National Combine recently was exceptional where he managed top 10 finishes in the running vertical jump and agility tests.
Along with partner-in-crime Gabriel Stumpf, Sims is also another Northern Knight key forward who models his game on Geelong star Jeremy Cameron. He also draws some comparisons to Kieran Briggs of the GWS Giants with regards to his physicality with his ruck work.
(https://cdn.central.rookieme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/VM-Thomas-Sims.jpg)
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/thomas-sims/
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Teams gonna continue to waltz out of our forward line - on the rare occasions our still far too thin & slow midfield actually gets it down there.... :help
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VIDEO:
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6Un9Gf72r60/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Un9Gf72r60)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Un9Gf72r60
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I'd imagine we'd develop him more as a ruck than forward??
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More videos:
Thomas Sims - Big 7 Goal Bag - Talent League Round 6
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FvAcuRvT3PM/maxresdefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvAcuRvT3PM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvAcuRvT3PM
Sims’ sizzling three-goal day catches the eye
Thomas Sims produces a towering performance to notch seven marks and three goals
(https://resources.afl.com.au/photo-resources/2024/06/23/f8d3dcc5-8031-4b23-951c-dbe9c9245afa/twzDArGs.jpg?width=1064&height=600) (https://www.afl.com.au/video/1156802/sims-sizzling-three-goal-day-catches-the-eye)
https://www.afl.com.au/video/1156802/sims-sizzling-three-goal-day-catches-the-eye
Collingwood MUST draft this key forward (if he slides) | Thomas Sims
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UIWMwcEus00/sddefault.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIWMwcEus00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIWMwcEus00
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Sims leaps into Tigerland
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2024/11/21/d376c169-e10a-4329-b3ce-3ce408cdd3d0/Pick-28_Sims_Article-Image.png?width=1064&height=600)
Richmond has selected leaping forward Thomas Sims with selection No. 28 overall in the Telstra AFL Draft.
The 199cm Sims has jumped out to Richmond recruiters with his vertical power, overhead marking, athleticism and agility.
Sims booted five goals in the Northern Knights’ Coates Talent League season opener and continued his strong form across the year, including a bag of seven against Oakleigh in Round 6.
The impressive tall was also a key part of Vic Metro’s undefeated National Championships, playing a role as a marking forward.
Sims, a Montmorency product booted three goals against Western Australia in his most productive performance with the ‘big V’ on his shirt.
Richmond Victorian Recruiting Manager, Rhy Gieschen said that Sims caught the recruiters’ eye with his March fitness testing and early season form.
“Tom is a genuine key position size at 199cm, and can mark the ball at the highest point, or bring the ball to ground in high numbered marking situations, a trait we value highly,” he said.
“His game against Oakleigh where he kicked 7.4 and took 10 marks really showcased his wide range of attributes.
“Tom is an energetic, bubbly character who is well liked by teammates and coaches, and we are excited to welcome him and his family to Richmond Football Club.”
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2024/11/21/2b85fff0-1e8a-4f4a-9f47-42a2259c4e85/MNCU18BSAVM24SR01887-COPY.jpg?width=1064&height=600)
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2024/11/21/69f56727-45d6-4377-9bfe-c9fbe78507d2/ME140824DP052821667.jpg?width=1064&height=600)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1695371/sims-leaps-into-tigerland
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At worst, he is a good prospect as a 2nd ruck / forward
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When Tom Sims became a Tiger (https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f973.svg)
VIDEO: https://x.com/Richmond_FC/status/1859550903402996025
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Well he looks happy as a pig in it to be a tiger
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Back the recruiters, a bit mind boggiling we have drafted 3 key fwds and Jobe Shanahan is still there but Simms.
Also a bit odd that we didn't downgrade as I'm sure Simms would have been there in the 30s.
Totally different profile to the others his 200cm and a ruck forward not a primary KF. His ruck work has been impressive.
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Teams gonna continue to waltz out of our forward line - on the rare occasions our still far too thin & slow midfield actually gets it down there.... :help
Mate you need to be able to get the footy first in your hand that's what Lalor, Smillie, and Hotton a for, and then you get your line breakers. We aren't even getting our hands on the footy at the moment
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The Tigers pulled a selection stunner, selecting Northern Knights forward Thomas Sims.
Sims is an athletic tall forward who also has the ability to chop out in the ruck, with his versatility particularly appealing.
Sims has thrived under the tutelage of Collingwood champion Anthony Rocca at the Knights and was the third tall forward selected by the Tigers in the 2024 draft alongside Jonty Faull and Harry Armstrong.
“This boy emerged this year… he looks like he could be anything,” Fox Footy draft expert Kevin Sheehan said.
Fox Footy draft guru Mick Ablett likened Sims to Port Adelaide’s Tom Marshall
“I really like his ability to create separation from his opponent, he’s got a well-rounded athletic profile,” Ablett said.
“For a guy of that size to be able to move laterally and show that speed off the mark is really impressive.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2024-talking-points-analysis-from-night-two-best-and-worst-picks-camporeale-twins-to-carlton-academy-players-ignored-port-adelaide-winners/news-story/bda3802bcada93c6dff5e73f1eb789f7
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Back the recruiters, a bit mind boggiling we have drafted 3 key fwds and Jobe Shanahan is still there but Simms.
Also a bit odd that we didn't downgrade as I'm sure Simms would have been there in the 30s.
Sims had at least one game last season where he was the only ruck and it sounds like he did pretty well.
There rumors clubs were keen on him and willing to trade so perhaps a downgrade was too risky?
I liked the sound of Shanahan but not going in the top30 raised some question marks.
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Sims soars
Richmond had no hesitation in calling out Tom Sims’ name with the prized first pick on the second night of the 2024 AFL Draft.
It was a dominant best-on-ground display by Tom Sims for Northern Knights against Oakleigh Chargers in round 6 of the Coates Talent League this year that really made the AFL talent scouts sit up and take notice.
The big key forward took 10 marks and booted seven goals that day and subsequently clinched a place in the Vic Metro squad for the 2024 under-18 national championships.
He booted three goals against Western Australia in what was his best performance of the national championships and continued to showcase his impressive skill set for the remainder of the season with Northern Knights and his school team at Parade College, as well as some valuable versatility.
Richmond, with the first pick (No. 28 overall) on the second night of the 2024 AFL national draft, rejected several offers for that prized selection and had no hesitation in calling out Tom Sims’ name.
“Tom played some really good footy as a forward with (Vic) Metro and Northern Knights, but then, in the back half of the year, he spent a little bit more time in the ruck,” Richmond’s General Manager of Football Talent, Blair Hartley, said on the Talking Tigers podcast.”
“He’s around 199-200cm now, he’s still growing as well. He can really jump, and he’s a really strong contested mark.
“So, he’s that point of difference tall.
“We’re trying to build a strong spine for the future, and he’s got a lot of upside given his exposure to the talent pathway and training history and everything else.
“He’s grown (as a player) throughout the course of the year and he’s a pretty special athlete.
“We’re looking forward to what he can do.”
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1701594/sims-soars
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If he can become a mobile strong marking ruckman that can competently go forward and kick some goals then this pick will be a massive win.
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Total agree , have a look at his ruck-work on the videos , he is still growing , has courage , and jumps like a kangaroo, I just hope he gets the right development, smart pick imho
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Yze's tiger cub watch - Tom Sims
“He’s been impressive. We thought he might take a little bit longer to fill into his body and understand AFL standards, but he’s been impressive with his forward-line craft, his work-rate, and he likes to crash a pack as well. The fact that he can play second ruck, he’s probably going to push closer to selection than a couple of the others. So, he’s in a good spot . . .”
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/03/09/8fb1b4a0-61b0-49fd-82ec-237fefe85fb6/54370486299_9765978a98_3k.jpg?width=1416&height=2124)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1728155/yzes-tiger-cub-watch
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Milestone: Jasper Alger (Debut game), Thomas Sims (Debut game)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1775426/squad-selection-round-9-richmond-west-coast
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Tom Sims will become Richmond's seventh debutant in season 2025, with his first game locked in for Round 9.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1763218/sims-set-to-soar-on-afl-debut
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1776461/youre-kidding-yze-surprises-simsy
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Sims Calls Home
Thomas Sims calls his family to let them know he will be debuting against West Coast this Sunday.
(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2025/05/09/07bb4b2b-db14-4df0-9125-623beb3182f3/mUaPMAuO.png?width=902&height=536) (https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1776516/sims-calls-home)
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1776516/sims-calls-home
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What did we think of Sims in his debut today?
6 disposals (6k, 0h, 1c, 5u, 100% eff.)
2 marks (1 contested mark)
3 tackles (2 in50 tackles)
3 hitouts
1 centre clearance
3 inside 50s
206m gained
3 score involvements
1 goal assist
1 goal
72% time on ground
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Looked great. Keep playing him.
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Bye bye Samson .
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He did some great things
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I couldn’t watch the game as I was out for Mother’s Day but was listening in the radio.
Was he rucking when nank was on the bench or resting forward?
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I couldn’t watch the game as I was out for Mother’s Day but was listening in the radio.
Was he rucking when nank was on the bench or resting forward?
He rucked a bit. Much more co-ordinated and better at ground level than Samson
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His big mark was very lynch-esque. Took the ball at its highest point, there’s a good photo where his hands are half a foot higher than everyone else’s.
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They haven’t seemed to want to put lynch, Faull or Armstrong when he was in the team in the ruck, so there is 100% a spot for simms to play that fwd/ruck role. Better than having kmac doing it.
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Has cruised past Sammy Ryan in 3rd gear. Looks a keeper already.
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He has a great leap, good footy smarts and field kicking.
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Really good on the ground. Really impressed by his debut.
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Solid, very solid
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There is something about this kid
For me, he could become the pick of our key position kids from last years draft
He flashes freakish upside
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There is something about this kid
For me, he could become the pick of our key position kids from last years draft
He flashes freakish upside
Extremely agile for his size and great footy smarts.
Shame he got run down in that tackle, was enjoying seeing a ruck go for a run and bounce
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There is something about this kid
For me, he could become the pick of our key position kids from last years draft
He flashes freakish upside
Extremely agile for his size and great footy smarts.
Shame he got run down in that tackle, was enjoying seeing a ruck go for a run and bounce
Had no-one ahead of him to kick to. Probably should've just played the percentages & risked the deliberate down field. He'll learn. :shh
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Yep should have just kicked it forward and hope a teammate got to it.
But there's certainly alot to like
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There's a lot to like about Faul, Sims and Armstrong...:shh
Only wish the young KPD stocks looked as promising....:shh :shh
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There's a lot to like about Faul, Sims and Armstrong...:shh
Only wish the young KPD stocks looked as promising....:shh :shh
If and it’s quite a big if now, gibcus can get his body right, him and Trainor look good. Defs need to target another kpd in the next couple of drafts though.
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There's a lot to like about Faul, Sims and Armstrong...:shh
Only wish the young KPD stocks looked as promising....:shh :shh
Gray , Blight and hopefully Gibcus
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There's a lot to like about Faul, Sims and Armstrong...:shh
Only wish the young KPD stocks looked as promising....:shh :shh
Could be a lot worse tbh. I think we just need to develop or acquire 1 more genuinely decent defender.
IMO we already have:
Good:
Balta
Trainor
Modest:
Miller
Depth:
Kosi
Blight
Gray
Unknown:
Gibcus
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Agreed Andy, Balta can still play another 4-6 years and I am holding the line on Gibcus given his age. I am very confident the experience we have down back will help the fast track development. Lolnorf had to recruit mature aged players to play this role and we are very fortunate to already have them on our list.
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Saw some very worrisome signs last night just ball watching and expecting others to do something for him.
Not great. He's not alone but you'd want to pull his head in early so he doesn't develop these poor habits.
Hopefully Yze highlights those to the whole team to embarrass him for being soft and lacking integrity for the jumper.
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Saw some very worrisome signs last night just ball watching and expecting others to do something for him.
Not great. He's not alone but you'd want to pull his head in early so he doesn't develop these poor habits.
Hopefully Yze highlights those to the whole team to embarrass him for being soft and lacking integrity for the jumper.
Lmao second gamer, settle down. ::)
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Both he and Faul are playing before they are really AFL ready. Hopefully it helps fast track them.
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Saw some very worrisome signs last night just ball watching and expecting others to do something for him.
Not great. He's not alone but you'd want to pull his head in early so he doesn't develop these poor habits.
Hopefully Yze highlights those to the whole team to embarrass him for being soft and lacking integrity for the jumper.
Lmao second gamer, settle down. ::)
Third gamer mate.
Come on haha.
Nowhere near this guy's fault we lost seriously.
Forward line had about 10-15 games experience between them.
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I get Tigeritis' point. I thought he looked really tired
A couple of times he actually looked non competitive which is not that surprising for kid playing his 3rd game.
Just reckon he needs to go back to the VFL and get his hands on the footy without being mauled by bigger body defenders