Tigers weigh up Troy Simmonds' future
Bruce Matthews
RETIRING Richmond ruckman Troy Simmonds will stay on at the club to help his young teammates in the gym.
Simmonds will play his 197th and last AFL game when the Tigers meet St Kilda at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said this morning Simmonds' dedication in the gym was a fine example for his young team and he would seek to use the ruckman to help the club off the field after he hangs up his boots.
"He's just very good with his weights, his rehab and recovery, so he can actually work with our players at a high level in that area," Hardwick said.
Hardwick was full of praise for the outgoing ruckman, who arrived at Tigerland at the end of 2004 after stints at Melbourne and Fremantle.
"It's always an emotional occasion when a guy finishes up after almost 200 games.
"Troy is very well respected in our footy club, so hopefully he can go off with a win.
"He's in our leadership group. He's been terrific in my short time here and he's very popular with our playing group."
Hardwick said the players had pulled up well after their tough slog at AAMI Stadium last weekend, saying the horrendous conditions meant the players didn't run as far as they did in most games.
And he said the players were focussed on achieving their second win of the year after the high of last Saturday's breakthrough victory against Port Adelaide.
"We quickly brought them back to earth," Hardwick said.
Hardwick said the club would take a cautious approach with midfielder Nathan Foley and give him one more week to recover from an ankle injury that kept him out of last week's win.
The Tigers face a rare tough afternoon at selection with virtually a full list to chose from, no injuries from last week's game and the task finding someone to make way for Simmonds.
Graham Polak appears the likely casualty.
Ben Cousins left the training track early today but should play.
St Kilda has won its past 10 games against Richmond.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-weigh-up-troy-simmonds-future/story-e6frf9jf-1225874943063
