Penrith Panthers legend Royce Simmons still paying for NRL Grand Final beer promise
Almost 30 years after promising to have a beer with everyone in Penrith, Royce Simmons is now being chased around a retirement village named after him.
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Everyone still wants to drink with Royce Simmons.
Which after 29 years, is now becoming a problem.
Especially in the afternoons, around, say, five or six o’clock.
“Because,” the old hooker says, “that’s when I knock off work”.
Not that the knocking off bothers him.
No, the issue arises shortly after arriving home to his sprawling retirement village which neighbours Panthers Leagues Club.
A complex named – wait for it – ‘The Royce’.
Can you believe it?
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This fella who famously won the 1991 Winfield Cup title, who scored two tries and then told fans how “I’ll have a beer with every one of youse” now has a bloody retirement village named in his honour.
Which given he’s 60, should be a good thing, right?
“Yeah, but the complex has a bar,” Simmons laughs. “And I have to pass it every afternoon to get to my place.”
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Which was already an issue most weekdays.
But now in NRL grand final week?
“Absolute nightmare,” he jokes. “Because everyone is wanting to have a beer and talk Panthers.
“So every afternoon, I’m getting home and having to sneak along the walls on my tippy toes.”
Almost 30 years on from that inaugural Penrith premiership, Simmons remains tattooed to the club where he played 238 games, then coached 187 more.
Officially now, he runs their Captain’s Club.
A collection of some 60 sponsors who Simmons is effectively employed to keep happy.
Which is why every home game, he joins their private box.
Same as this Kangaroos favourite also takes them on everything from golf and lawn bowls days to Origin matches, Australian Tennis Opens, even the Bathurst 1000.
You name it, Roycey has likely planned it for them.
One trip, bungee jumping in Queenstown. The next, going inside Panthers video sessions or heading to his old hometown for the Cowra Cup.
“And all while I slowly lose my liver,” he says.
Yet know the Panthers players, they love Simmons too.
With so many of them filthy this NRL Bubble situation has temporarily stalled their usual visits to his desk inside Panthers HQ, which is itself only a few hundred metres walk from The Royce.
For many players, the yarns are a daily ritual.
“And I really miss having a yack to them,” he says.
Indeed, ask Simmons about his love of Penrith – or “the town” as he calls it – and this rugby league knockabout talks fondly of those locals who for three decades have sought out that promise of a schooner.
“They’re honest, no bullshit in them,“ he says.
“If you’re doing the right thing, the wrong thing, doesn’t matter – they’ll tell you.
“Just as when someone in town is doing it tough, they rally.
“I know people who’d give their last $50 to help out, they really would.
“And that’s why I stay.”
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So what chance this week’s festivities are reviving some old memories then?
“None,” he laughs. “My mind doesn’t go that well to be honest.
“But given the way the town is buzzing, yeah, some people are definitely trying hard to remind me.”
Like at that little bar inside The Royce.
“Which I’ve given a good test,” he says, grinning. “It’s an honesty bar too, with a book to mark each time you have a beer.
“So on those afternoon I do go in, I’ll always mark down two ‘ones’ straight away.
“Then, I sit there and drink 11.”
Originally published as Penrith Panthers legend Royce Simmons still paying for NRL Grand Final beer promise