Simmonds fit and raring to go
by: Paul Gough
Sportal
March 22, 2007
Richmond ruckman Troy Simmonds says he is on track to make a successful comeback from his broken ankle in a huge boost to the Tigers' prospects in season 2007.
Simmonds was one of the dominant big men in the AFL last year and finished third in the Tigers' best and fairest in what was his best season since debuting for Melbourne way back in 1999.
But he has been unsighted throughout the pre-season after fracturing his right ankle in mid-January, raising doubts about his ability to re-capture last year's form.
However Simmonds, speaking exclusively to Sportal, said his recovery was on track and he was a chance to even be available for the Tigers' season opener against Carlton on April 1.
"It's coming along well," he said.
"I am running well so hopefully I get a solid week of training this week and next week and we come up for round one."
Simmonds said even if he misses out on round one, it won't be long before he is back in action and he is confident there will be no lasting affects from the injury.
"I did this six years ago (at Melbourne), the same sort of injury and it didn’t affect me jumping wise then once I had strengthened it up."
Simmonds says it took him 10-12 weeks to regain full fitness the last time he injured his ankle and it will be ten weeks since he suffered the injury by the time the Tigers face the Blues in round one.
"You can't overdo (the rehab) and get too keen (to come back) but I am feeling good now and I am running well," he said.
"I have been doing my marking and jumping and been doing a lot of work in the gym also to strengthen the ankle."
But Simmonds admits he will go into the season lacking match practice.
"I have been doing a lot of touch work and a lot of kicking out on the ground but there is nothing like match practice is there," he said.
A fit Simmonds is vital to the Tigers' hopes of a finals appearance this year, after last year's rise to ninth place, after he overcome his tough first year at Punt Road in 2005 to amass 386 hit-outs, 344 disposals and 25 goals last season.
The 28-year-old said the chance to finally play in the ruck full-time last year - after spending his first year at Richmond and much of his time at Melbourne and Fremantle playing as a key forward - was the key to his best ever season.
"Playing in the ruck, the confidence came back and I was really enjoying my footy," he said.
"I enjoy that ease of just running around the ground (as a ruckman) and using my strength and mobility and my running capacity."
Simmonds admitted the pressure on him also eased last year, after much debate as to whether he should have been given a five year contract when he first joined the Tigers in 2005.
"The first year I did feel a bit of pressure but I expected that but I am loving being back in Melbourne (after spending 2002-2004 playing for Fremantle)," he said.
But while he has now established himself as one of the AFL's best ruckman, Simmonds is looking forward to some added support this year after virtually carrying the Tigers ruck stocks single-handedly last year.
"Certainly this year hopefully Trent (Knobel) can have a good year because he is back fit (after missing most of last year with leg injuries) while Adam Pattison and our young rookie Angus Graham are coming along really well."
"It will certainly help me to have that support because it's not good for the body when you are rucking all day."
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