Dummy half - 3 into 2

[maxta]

We have Croker back ready for selection
We have now
Simpkin
Gordie
Croker
I know most will auto choose Croker at 9, but personally I retain Simpkin.
The distribution from dummy half has definitely improved and his defence is good....yet Croker wins the superior tackler.
Gordie is the most dynamic and played good patches, though I expected a tad more, but early days.
It's a healthy problem to have, with each of them having different strengths to the others.
If Croker was a little more dynamic, could even fill a role at lock, as tackles well and can distribute better on the run than off the ground, as proven as a representative junior 5/8 and that would answer many questions for Manly.
It's gunna be interesting, but what's the thoughts ?

 

[Highflier]

Agree I think we have looked better with Simpkin at 9 , and also Gordy has come on well adding spark and unpredictability
Croker is the superior defender and to me has lock written all over him or maybe mobile edge BR next yr in place off Lawto?

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

unfortunately for Croker he has to miss out. Simkin looks very promising considering he's only been here a few months. I feel his actual dummy half distribution is already well in front of Froggy. Simkin has a much higher ceiling so is obvious choice. Im still not sure about GKTC. he has flashes but is a little underwhelming.
Its the old distance makes the heart fonder trick in paly. We havent seen Croker for some time and forget just how many mistakes he makes on a regular basis. forward passes, drops in the dummy half position too often (especially when the team is on a fast break and needs good service).... Lest we not forget the frustrations almost all on here have had for the past 3 seasons.

 

[Damien2812]

Simpkins and Gordie would be my pick. Both have pace and Simpkins's delivery is much better than Croker's. Gordie could be anything and we saw glimpse's of what he can do against the Rorters.

 

[manly al]

Like Simpkin"s overall tidy work but Croker on balance should still offer more durability in defence which has been a bit of an issue at important times for Manly and particularly in his absence .
Gordy did some good work against the Roosters and sure it is no disrespect to Simpkin but the fact he spent quite a bit of time on the bench on Sat night maybe some indication of Seibs future thinking for the 9 role

 

[The Who]

Froggy every day of the week for me, when fully fit. I've not seen anything about his performance in the NSW Cup last match. Can anybody share an update?
I'd start with Froggy and let him play until he tires, then bring on Simpkins or Gordie.
Froggy strengths our defence, has a reasonable kicking game and is a real scrapper. He's one of my favourite players.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Its Simpkins spot to loose as his form has been very good. It's battle between Croker and Gordy for the bench and that will depend in Croker's fitness.

 

[The Indian]

Croker and Simpkin go head to head for the starting spot and Gordon offers the more spark and is the bencher. Simpkin has gone Ok so he gets the first crack for me but it's week to week after that.

 

[stoodamire]

We all know Seibold will pick Croker at 9. So it's more Simkpin or GCKT for the #14.

I'm keen to see Simpkin in the #14 role. Come on when the opposition forwards are tiring, might unlock his running game.

 

[Pete W]

For mine, Croker should join the middles at lock. Mobile, ball-playing tackling machine.

08 Trbojevic
09 Simpkin
10 Aloiai
11 Ola'akautu
12 Lawton
13 Brown
14 Chan Kum Tong
15 Bullemor
16 Paseka
17 Croker
18 Trbojevic

 

[JakeyB789]

Simpkin struggled at 14 behind Api at the Tigers. I think he has to either start, or isn't in the side at all.

He has the best service of the 3, Croker has the best defence and Gordie the best running game. I think we should persist with Gordie at #14 as he offers the most impact and seems to be improving each week, and I'd give the edge to Simpkin to start so Croker misses out.

I don't mind the idea of Croker transitioning to a defensive ball playing middle, but it could be a tough ask given his concussion/neck concerns and the fact he'd occasionally need to run the ball which he very very rarely has done when playing hooker.

 

[Heckenberg]

He

Simpkin struggled at 14 behind Api at the Tigers. I think he has to either start, or isn't in the side at all.

He has the best service of the 3, Croker has the best defence and Gordie the best running game. I think we should persist with Gordie at #14 as he offers the most impact and seems to be improving each week, and I'd give the edge to Simpkin to start so Croker misses out.

I don't mind the idea of Croker transitioning to a defensive ball playing middle, but it could be a tough ask given his concussion/neck concerns and the fact he'd occasionally need to run the ball which he very very rarely has done when playing hooker.

He also isn’t very big or fast. He’s probably a similar build to Connor Watson who is really zippy. Croker has never had a running game so I don’t think he’s an impact lock. We already have brown and Jake to add to our middle distribution so I think he’s kindve redundant there. Id be more inclined to play Jake Arthur in that role as he’s rangey and is probably on par with croker as far as running goes. For mine I start croker and move him into a lock forward position to just go full tacklebot and bring gckt on for impact. Playing Jake at prop and giving him a rest should lighten his load a bit with croker picking up the slack. Gordon is a goer but his size does worry me defending through the middle so I think you need these guys on the field at the same time to create a bit of starch through the middle defensively.

 

[Peter C]

Therein lies our problem, we have three dummy halves vying for two spots, with not one of them really standing out, unlike when we had Api, Manase and also Croker, with Manase the obvious standout, before he wanted to play gangster.

 

[Bloke on the hill]

My thoughts are that all three are good players without being great.
I'm happy to let them sort out who wants it most.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Personally, I like Simpkin as a more complete allrounder. He has the best service, can run, and is quite a solid defender. Croker is very much defence and Gordon is all energy but lacks polish.

In saying all that, I think Seibs mentioned in his presser that Croker is in our best 13...yes 13...not 17...every day of the week! So that tells you what he thinks.

 

[double hoops]

One thing Des did do well. Is build depth by making blokes train in multiple positions. Locks the obvious choice. Would be very interesting to see where else they could play.

 

[bob dylan]

Croker would be one of the first picked every week.

If he is 100% fit either or both the other pair will miss out.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Like Simpkin"s overall tidy work but Croker on balance should still offer more durability in defence which has been a bit of an issue at important times for Manly and particularly in his absence .
Gordy did some good work against the Roosters and sure it is no disrespect to Simpkin but the fact he spent quite a bit of time on the bench on Sat night maybe some indication of Seibs future thinking for the 9 role

@manly al we ran out of interchanges due to delayed HIAs which kept Simpkin off the park nothing more nothing less.

 

[Jay Eagle]

I don't get this thread.. I do but I don't because we don't pick the team and from the direct words of Seibs in last week's presser when asked about players coming back from injury..( and he picks the team).. " Croks will be back soon and he's in our best 13"

So end of story

 

[BOZO]

Froggy every day of the week for me, when fully fit. I've not seen anything about his performance in the NSW Cup last match. Can anybody share an update?

First the Good news according to Manly Media match report.....
In good news for the Sea Eagles, experienced NRL hooker Lachlan Croker played his first game since early May with prop Aaron Woods also returning from injury. Brad Parker also returned to his customary centre position after playing in the back-row all season.

The Bad news is the team had a heavy loss.....
Sydney Roosters 58 (Sandon Smith 2, Salesi Foketi 2, Tyreece Tait, Max McCathie, Robert Toia, Callum Gromek, Kyron Fekitoa tries; Smith 9 goals) d Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 6 (Jamie Humphreys try, Jaxson Paulo goal).