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Teenage Giant Sims Has Big Future
1 August 2003
Itâs not often a player reaches the NRL level while still in his teens and itâs even more rare for the youngster to be a forward. 18-year-old Ashton Sims is one of these special adolescents.
And whatâs more, heâs made the grade in the toughest position on the paddock, front row.
The NRL can be unforgiving for the best of players but for an 18-year-old it could seem quite daunting. At 192cm and weighing in at 106kg Sims has the size to match it with the NRLâs best but with only six games to his credit he is yet to have the experience.
However Sims has taken it all in his stride despite the fact that just 12 months ago he was playing for Kiama High School.
âIt's (the NRL) been everything I expected and more,â Sims said.
âOn TV you see all the big hits and you feel them from your lounge room and then all of a sudden youâre just a few metres from them on the field and itâs just surreal.â
Sims admits being a part of the St George Illawarra Dragons first grade side battling for a play off position was beyond his expectations this time last year.
âWhen I was playing school footy the NRL seemed quite a few more levels away and although I had it in the back of my mind I never wouldâve thought Iâd be here so quickly a year ago.â
One thing in Simsâ favour on his rapid rise is the club he plays for. Without any bias undertones, the Dragons is arguably the best place for a young prop to learn his trade. The support staff is second to none and obviously playing behind the international pairing of Luke Bailey and Jason Ryles is a bonus many would die for.
âThe rise hasnât been hard because Iâve had people around me keeping me level headed,â Sims explains.
âLegends like Craig Young, Jason Ryles, Luke Bailey and Chris Leikvoll always have a yarn to me and keep me on the ground, theyâve made it really easy for me.
âHaving Bails and Rylesy is something that you could only dream of. I canât get it better being a front rower myself.
âRyles and Bailey speak for themselves then thereâs Chris Leikvoll. Heâs played so many games and has so much experience and he just passes it on to me. They all give me pointers here and there at training and at other times so my game keeps improving and to keep improving me as a person.â
One of those improvements is ensuring the Gerringong junior remembers where it is he came from. While his mates go out on the town and live it up Sims is battling against the likes of Shane Webcke and this week Martin Lang and Joel Clinton. So far his profile is fairly low keyl, and thatâs the way he likes it.
âMy name hasnât really been up in the lights yet, which is how I like it,â he says.
âI still go down and spend time with my mates. I go fishing and surfing whenever I can. Iâd like to think being a footballer hasnât got to my head.
âYou have to remember where your roots are and you have to know your real friends.â
Back on the paddock Sims hopes to finish the year in first grade and then become the number one back-up prop next season. With the likes of Leikvoll, Ian Donnelly, Craig Stapleton and Steven Southern off to other clubs he will be expected to take a huge step forward.
âI hope to do that. A few people have suggested thatâs what will happen but I wonât be taking anything for granted,â he says modestly.
âI just hope my form warrants being Brownieâs first choice on the bench next year.â
If the young giant continues to grow as a man and a player coach Brown will have no choice but to have him there to call upon.
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1 August 2003
Itâs not often a player reaches the NRL level while still in his teens and itâs even more rare for the youngster to be a forward. 18-year-old Ashton Sims is one of these special adolescents.
And whatâs more, heâs made the grade in the toughest position on the paddock, front row.
The NRL can be unforgiving for the best of players but for an 18-year-old it could seem quite daunting. At 192cm and weighing in at 106kg Sims has the size to match it with the NRLâs best but with only six games to his credit he is yet to have the experience.
However Sims has taken it all in his stride despite the fact that just 12 months ago he was playing for Kiama High School.
âIt's (the NRL) been everything I expected and more,â Sims said.
âOn TV you see all the big hits and you feel them from your lounge room and then all of a sudden youâre just a few metres from them on the field and itâs just surreal.â
Sims admits being a part of the St George Illawarra Dragons first grade side battling for a play off position was beyond his expectations this time last year.
âWhen I was playing school footy the NRL seemed quite a few more levels away and although I had it in the back of my mind I never wouldâve thought Iâd be here so quickly a year ago.â
One thing in Simsâ favour on his rapid rise is the club he plays for. Without any bias undertones, the Dragons is arguably the best place for a young prop to learn his trade. The support staff is second to none and obviously playing behind the international pairing of Luke Bailey and Jason Ryles is a bonus many would die for.
âThe rise hasnât been hard because Iâve had people around me keeping me level headed,â Sims explains.
âLegends like Craig Young, Jason Ryles, Luke Bailey and Chris Leikvoll always have a yarn to me and keep me on the ground, theyâve made it really easy for me.
âHaving Bails and Rylesy is something that you could only dream of. I canât get it better being a front rower myself.
âRyles and Bailey speak for themselves then thereâs Chris Leikvoll. Heâs played so many games and has so much experience and he just passes it on to me. They all give me pointers here and there at training and at other times so my game keeps improving and to keep improving me as a person.â
One of those improvements is ensuring the Gerringong junior remembers where it is he came from. While his mates go out on the town and live it up Sims is battling against the likes of Shane Webcke and this week Martin Lang and Joel Clinton. So far his profile is fairly low keyl, and thatâs the way he likes it.
âMy name hasnât really been up in the lights yet, which is how I like it,â he says.
âI still go down and spend time with my mates. I go fishing and surfing whenever I can. Iâd like to think being a footballer hasnât got to my head.
âYou have to remember where your roots are and you have to know your real friends.â
Back on the paddock Sims hopes to finish the year in first grade and then become the number one back-up prop next season. With the likes of Leikvoll, Ian Donnelly, Craig Stapleton and Steven Southern off to other clubs he will be expected to take a huge step forward.
âI hope to do that. A few people have suggested thatâs what will happen but I wonât be taking anything for granted,â he says modestly.
âI just hope my form warrants being Brownieâs first choice on the bench next year.â
If the young giant continues to grow as a man and a player coach Brown will have no choice but to have him there to call upon.
COOLA CAN
MINI FRIDGE
A brand new item for the most conscientious of supporters.
Click here to find out how you can help!
New sponsorship package available!
Click here for more info!
