Eric Simms

Superlative goal-kicker set many records during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Simms grew up in Raymond Terrace but was a Souths President's Cup player in 1965 when he was called up into the club's top grade. Playing in the centres in the grand final against St George, Simms kicked two goals in the 12-8 loss … and then played for La Perouse in his district competition a week later! Simms went on to play in five consecutive grand finals from 1967-71 … his boot guided the club to victory with a late goal in the 1967 grand final over C’bury, against Manly in 1968 (5g) and in 1970, again against Manly, when he scored 14pts (4g, 3fg) in Souths’ 23-12 win. Simms provided another piece of rugby league history when his field goal against St George in the 1971 grand final resulted in a 1-0 half-time score. (His field goal ability indirectly resulted in the League reducing it to just one point in 1971.) In 1969 Simms kicked 19fg compared with one - in the grand final - in 1971). He was the season's leading point-scorer from 1967 to 1970, breaking Dave Brown's long-standing season total with 265pts (1t, 112g, 19fg) in 1969. In a match against Penrith that year, Simms potted 6g and a record 5fg! Simms was a member of Australia's victorious World Cup teams in 1968 (scoring a record 50pts in the competition) and again in 1970 (a late call up when Graeme Langlands withdrew with a broken hand). In the 1970 World Cup final at Leeds, he was punched in the face as he attempted to shake hands with Great Britain winger John Atkinson after the match. Although his point-scoring record was ultimately beaten by P’matta’s Mick Cronin in 1978, Simms’ 11 goals in a match (twice) is still a club record. The greatest point-scorer in the history of Souths, he left the club at the end of 1975 to take on a captain-coach role with Crookwell.

Career Statistics

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