FOOTBALLERS constantly have to put up with ailments like hamstring strains and osteitis pubis, but last year Troy Simmonds was sidelined by something that you won’t see on many club injury lists – blood clots in the lungs.
The Tiger ruckman missed the last four games of the year after the diagnosis but in January this year he got the all-clear from doctors to resume full football training.
Simmonds admits there were a few worrying moments along the way.
“Originally I saw it as just another injury setback, but if it did happen again then I’d have to be on the medication, which thins your blood. I would have had to be on that the rest of my life and I could not have played. It was a bit scary but it just makes me determined in the years I have got left in footy to give it a red hot crack,” he said.
“It was a freaky thing, which is exactly what’s happened to (basketballer) Sam MacKinnon. I know what he’s gone through. You don’t get really physically sick, you just get pains in the chest. You don’t think it is such a life-threatening thing at the time but I was pretty lucky. ”
The lung clot and early season problems with his ankle meant Simmonds only played 10 games for Richmond last year.
Simmonds’ frustrations were compounded by the constant criticism of Richmond’s remaining ruckmen, but he said his own absence helped develop the Tigers’ young big men who otherwise would have had to wait their turn.
“I did feel a bit of pressure last year. I was dying to get out there and help the team but I just couldn’t,” he said.
“We’d lost Trent Knobel and Greg Stafford to retirement and they are two senior bodies but it was a very manful effort by Adam Pattison last year to step up in the ruck. He’s certainly benefitted from that now.”
Simmonds and ruck coach Damian Monkhorst have been working closely with Pattison and other young rucks Dean Putt, Angus Graham and Tristen Cartledge.
But he has no plans to give up his spot in the side just yet.
“I’m out of contract at the end of next year but ruckmen are known for being late to physically develop. I think I can go on for a while,” he said.
“People say I’ve had a bad run with injuries but it has only been one year. I’ve had a few niggles here and there but I’ve kept my body in good shape. I’ve had a good run compared to some people out there.”
However the 29-year-old knows he is closer to the end of his AFL career than the start and has already put steps in place for a career post-football.
“I always think about life post-AFL. The earlier you can start thinking about it, the better you’ll be. It’s all good experience. I’m involved in a finance company at the moment that I run. I don’t think it’s something I’ll go with for the future but I’ve taken a lot out of it.”
One path Simmonds could consider is zoology. He famously owned several snakes while he was playing with Melbourne from 1991-2001. But tough Western Australian laws meant he had to offload his pets.
“I had a friend looking after them – he’s a zoologist, but I ended up having to sell them. So yeah I don’t keep them anymore but I’ve still got a passion for wildlife.”
