The Sharks have announced that they have re-signed local junior David Simmons to a new two-year contract.
Simmons, originally from the De La Salle Caringbah Club, played in the Sharks Matthews Cup and SG Ball junior representative teams before making the step up into the senior ranks with the club.
He was said to be pursued by a number of opposition clubs before deciding to remain at the Sharks. Sharks CEO Greg Pierce was pleased to confirm the deal and to announce Simmons’ decision on Thursday.
“David showed a great deal of loyalty in knocking back a number of lucrative offers to remain at the Sharks for at least the next two years,” Pierce said. “While he has battled a couple of injuries in recent times there is no doubt he is a player of exceptional talent.”
Despite still being only 22 years of age, Simmons has already played 67 games in the NRL, having made his debut for the Sharks as a teenager back in 2003. In recognition of his outstanding early season form in 2006, Simmons was chosen to play on the wing for City in last year’s City-Country clash.
A hamstring injury currently has Simmons sidelined, with a return to the field likely for the round 13 match against the Dragons. He will not make the trip to Townsville with the Sharks this weekend, with the selected 17 set to take on the Cowboys.
In other news, the future of Sharks halves Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes was made no clearer after a meeting with the player’s management today. George Mimis of SFX Sports will table the Sharks latest offers to both players over the next few days, with a decision and subsequent announcement expected early next week.
