Eric Simms (born 2 August 1945) is an Indigenous Australian former professional and national representative rugby league footballer who has been named among the nation's finest of the 20th century. His primary position was at although he could also play as a . Simms played his entire first grade career for South Sydney with whom he won four premierships and was top point-scorer for four consecutive seasons. In August 2008, Simms was named at fullback in the Indigenous Team of the Century. Simms set several records in his playing days, some which still stand. He was a notable goal-kicker (field, penalty and conversion) who once kicked five field goals in eleven minutes (in a match against Penrith in 1969). It has been said of Simms, and specifically his ability to kick field goals, that he's "one of the few men whose influence was such it single-handedly changed the game". Early life and education Eric Simms was born in Karuah, New South Wales on 2 August 1945, the eldest son John (Jack) Simms, an Ullugundy Island man, who came to Karuah to live for a while before moving to La Perouse in Sydney. Eric's mother was born Gwendoline May Cook and became Gwendoline Ping when her own mother remarried. Eric and his sister, Beverley, grew up on the former Aboriginal reserve at Karuah, raised by his mother and stepfather, Fred Ridgeway, along with six other younger brothers and sisters. Simms had a total of thirteen siblings although some died at birth. Eric attended Karuah Public School, and Raymond Terrace High School where "he was taught the art of goalkicking by Les Leggatt, sportsmaster". Playing career Simms moved to La Perouse where he played for La Perouse Panthers Junior Rugby League Football Club in the 1964 premiership-winning team. He was a 19-year-old truck driver when he was signed for South Sydney in 1965. He played in the centres for Souths’ grand finalist team which lost to St George (128) before a then record crowd of 78,056; Simms scored the last points in the game with a penalty goal. Simms went on to play 206 first grade games, including grand final winning teams in 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971, scoring a total of 1,841 career points. In 1969, he broke the record for the most points scored in a premiership season with 265, previously held by Dave Brown of Eastern Suburbs. He held