Ryan’s happy to sit it out
Simpkins opts to work on diploma rather than playing again
RYAN Simpkins admits he is not exactly craving a chance to pull the boots back on despite seeing former Gold Coast Titans teammate Daniel Mortimer running around for his junior club Currumbin.
Like many ex-NRL players, Mortimer is bringing a sense of high-profile professionalism to the Rugby League Gold Coast competition, as the likes of Ash Harrison and Dayne Weston did last year.
Simpkins though is enjoying focusing on life outside of football, having officially retired at the end of last season following a series of injuries including two anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.
“I haven’t really had anything to do with any other footy at this stage,” the 30year-old father-of-two said.
“Pretty much since I stopped playing my body has felt heaps better.
“If I could go back to feeling how I was when I was 20, I would still be playing but as you get a bit older it becomes a lot harder.
“I was a bit surprised when I heard Morts was playing down there (at Currumbin). I have got no real desire to do it at the moment.
“That could change I suppose in a year’s time or whatever but at the moment I’m pretty happy just not having that commitment of knowing you have got to train on this night and your weekends are committed to revolving around football.
“It has been nice to see what you want to do on the weekend and just do it. I’m enjoying it.”
Simpkins is working for his father Robert’s plumbing business while chipping away at finishing the Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design he started during his NRL career.
“It’s basically the design of plumbing systems, so mostly in commercial, industrial and major residential fields,” said Simpkins, who played 25 games for the Titans.
“So it’s the design of sewer and storm water, your hot and cold water, gas, all of your plumbing systems.
“In the future it might be something I get more into.”