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
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Thomas Sims
(Pick 28)
The next of the key position players the Tigers drafted last year, Sims is a powerful forward/ruck.
The Northern Knights, Montmorency and Parade College product debuted in Round 9 against West Coast and continues to develop his game at AFL level.
Richmond’s head of development, Sam Lonergan’s lowdown
What stands out? He’s a very strong aerial power player but also a competitive ruckman. His second effort are fantastic in the contest. 200cm, ability to impact in the air and a very good work rate.
What’s he like? He could certainly become a cult figure. It won’t take him long to get a following. In his first month at the club, he got up in front of the whole group - air guitar, danced and sang the Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl half-time show performance along to the video clip. He's not afraid to put himself out there and show people who he is and bring his incredibly fun and unique personality to the table.
Where will he play? A key forward with the ability to go in the ruck. Around 80-20 as a key forward/ruck. He may develop into a number one ruckman. He's certainly got the size to do that, but at this stage we see him as a key forward, that can be a second ruck.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/07/27/the-eight-tiger-cubs-leading-richmond-across-a-new-frontier
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How much taller do we reckon this kid will end up?
Drafted at 199 looks an inch taller already.
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Apparently not training cause still hasn't had the operation ...
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I thought I saw him in the training video yesterday.
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Apparently not training cause still hasn't had the operation ...
What surgery?
Thought he didn't need it for his elbow, or is there something else?
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Needs foot surgery. Not sure when that became apparent though
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Tom Sims - Ankle:
"Simsy is doing well. He underwent navicular stress fracture surgery at the end of last season after he also injured his elbow," he said.
"The elbow is all clear and the ankle is doing quite well now. So we expect him to do more running early next year. He'll be touch-and-go for Round 1, but is progressing well."
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1939246/high-performance-update-pre-season
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I hope they turn this kid into our number one future ruck. Given his skills, ball handling, threat forward and running capability, he would be a massive asset around the ground once Nank retires.
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Sims surging forward
Tom Sims reflects on his first season and his journey back from injury.
By Henry Milic
RichmondFC.com.au
Jan 16, 2026
The path back to your best is simple - be better than you were yesterday.
For key forward Tom Sims, getting better one day at a time has been his focus as he looks to return from injury in preparation for a big 2026 campaign.
Unfortunately, Sims sustained an ulnar ligament injury in Richmond’s Round 20 VFL game against Sandringham last year, cutting his debut season short. Additionally, after a routine medical scan, results showed a navicular stress fracture in his right foot.
With a long road of rehab ahead of him, the 19-year-old began to shift his mindset towards maximising his potential and returning to football as quickly as possible.
“It was a bit of a crazy couple of weeks,” Sims admitted.
“I couldn’t really have a nice off-season. I spoke to Ivan Maric (Player Development Coach) and Jacqui Hilton (Player Development Manager) about what mindset I’ll need to have.
“I was trapped at home, I couldn’t drive, and I couldn’t even walk. I started feeling guilty that I wasn’t doing enough because all I could do was upper body or swimming.
“I felt like I wasn’t doing enough because I wasn’t living the lifestyle I was a month ago.
“But then I shifted that mindset and thought, well, if I can’t be the best on the field, I’m going to be the best in the pool, or I’m going to be the best on the bike, or I’m going to be the best in cross training.
“That helped push me, thinking that they (his teammates) are out there dying because of running, well, I’m going to be in the gym dying because I can’t pedal enough or I can’t keep swimming, so that was my mindset.”
Before his injury setback, the 28th overall pick in the 2024 AFL Draft demonstrated why he belonged at the elite level, making an immediate impact in his debut game during the Round 9 victory against West Coast, finishing the contest with six disposals, three tackles and a goal.
Navigating his way within a young forward line brigade, Sims credited Tiger veteran Tom Lynch for imparting invaluable knowledge to him in his first season.
“When I first got here, I was like ok, he is definitely going to be someone who I have to ask and be curious with him,” Sims said of Lynch.
“He has kicked 400 or 500 goals, so it was good to have him. I lived with him for a couple of weeks when I got drafted, and it was good to see his life away from footy as well.
“He would say, ‘I’m going to pilates, do you want to come?’ and I would say, 'yeah'...even when you are outside of training, you are still preparing.
“On the track, he tries to teach us stuff, even just playing against him in aerial contests, he will beat you, but he will teach you how he did it, so it’s good to see how he dissects what happens on the field, and for us forwards, it definitely helps.”
Sims lauded fellow forwards Harry Armstrong and Jonty Faull for consistently driving one another to improve as they prepare for their second season at the Swinburne Centre.
The trio of Tigers will look to become the key pillars of the forward line for years to come, a challenge Sims embraces.
“All of us have our own strengths and flair, and we are all learning together,” Sims said.
“At the end of the day, we are all just trying to learn, and that will probably be the Richmond forward line for the next couple of years.
“We just have to try and fast track each other, and soon enough, hopefully, all three of us will be on together at the same time, kicking snags and assisting each other.”
Standing at 199cm tall, Sims found success as a swing ruckman in support of captain Toby Nankervis, stepping up at stoppages to compete around the ground.
Rucking was an attribute he developed in his junior career, with the hope that it would put him on notice and improve his chances of getting picked up in the draft.
“Coming into my 18s season, no one really knew who I was,” Sims said.
“Once I made Vic Metro, I was playing with all these people who were going to get drafted, and I thought I could be one of them.
“Toward the end of that season, I played a new role by playing more ruck to deepen my bag. It was good to show recruiters that I could play ruck and forward, which was a point of difference in my draft.
“Last year I did a bit of rucking to give Nank a chop out, and I was playing against big men, so it was hard for me to try and match them physically, but I’ve got Samson Ryan, I’ve got Ollie Hayes-Brown, and I’ve got Nank, and they are all good resources.
“Having that versatility sets me apart from most other tall keys, and if I try to add as many strings to my bow as I can, it will help me play more games and help us win more games.”
Away from his rigorous rehabilitation, Sims enjoys unwinding by creating TikTok’s, keeping up with trends that offer plenty of entertainment for his following.
“I sort of just post when I feel like it,” Sims said.
“If I see a trend, I’ll be like, I’ll do that, and I do have a few in mind."
With a second season at Punt Road rapidly approaching, the energetic forward has a clear objective for 2026: to return to the park alongside his teammates and play better than ever.
“I’ll have a chat with Newy (Chris Newman), Livo (Tim Livingstone), and Ooze (Adem Yze) about what is next when I’m back on the field and what role I will be playing,” Sims said.
“It’s a new team every year, so it’s a bit unpredictable, but I’ll just try and go out there and start running and start being in drills, and go as intense as I can when I do go out there.”
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1944403/sims-surging-forward
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“Last year I did a bit of rucking to give Nank a chop out, and I was playing against big men, so it was hard for me to try and match them physically, but I’ve got Samson Ryan, I’ve got Ollie Hayes-Brown, and I’ve got Nank, and they are all good resources.
Good interview. Bit odd that the ruck coach doesn’t get a mention in this part.
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The new ruck rule will help him and potentially Noah Balta should they decide to put him in the ruck