Jake Simpkin signed until 2026

[manlyfan76]

Ignore the rose tinted glasses, from the collective imprisonment of having Croker as our only hooker for the past four years... What does Simpkin bring to the table?

He runs occasionally, and often these runs are pretty good.

Is he deceptive? No.

Does he dominate tackles? No.

Does he offer better service than Croker? Yes.

Is that a high bar? **** no.

I believe that we've swapped an inadequate hooker for another. I'm particularly annoyed about how he doesn't dominate the contact... That's one important asset that Croker had over him.

If we want long term improvement, we really need Zaidas Muagututia to fire in the short term. Unfortunately, it looks like Simpkin and Turpin will be our only "NRL-ready" options for early next year.

I wouldn't have thought that he was our hooking be all and end all, but with croks and GCKT we needed someone.
If he's sharing the duty next year with a up and comer who is getting experience then cool.

If Simp bulks up and has more impact in collisions next year then he might be a better option.

 

[mave]

It's the next ruck after he makes a tackle that is the main problem for me.

Ends up being two non-dominant in a row, and all of a sudden, momentum is ceded.

 

[The Who]

I reckon he's good; not in the top echelon but an important part of our team. He provides good service, he does plenty of tackling, doesn't give away penalties, and tries hard. Sure, he could run more, but he'll do me.

 

[LeonardCohen]

The Emre Guler try on Saturday is an example of the issue I have with his defence. Jack De Belin was able to win the wrestle with Simpkin, offload and the try was scored. He will often lose the wrestle in the middle, allowing the opposition to get on the front foot.

With the ball, he’s a step up from Coker but he’s a low tier 9 when it comes to tightening up the middle.

 

[manlyfan76]

The Emre Guler try on Saturday is an example of the issue I have with his defence. Jack De Belin was able to win the wrestle with Simpkin, offload and the try was scored. He will often lose the wrestle in the middle, allowing the opposition to get on the front foot.

With the ball, he’s a step up from Coker but he’s a low tier 9 when it comes to tightening up the middle.

Agree, if we were dominating a team and had all the ball he'd look amazing. Its when we are the ones being dominated that he's shown up.
Still he's not a total negative. But we have t landed a decent hooker in living memory

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

But we have t landed a decent hooker in living memory

Define 'living memory'
(we had two in 2019!)

 

[Captain Moondog]

Define 'living memory'
(we had two in 2019!)

As you grow older three things happen, you begin to lose your memory and ummm.......

 

[The '47ers]

Define 'living memory'
(we had two in 2019!)

Don't be ageist, he might only be 5! 😆

 

[manlyfan76]

Define 'living memory'
(we had two in 2019!)

I've chosen to forget a lot of the last ten seasons.


Thanks Mr Fluffy.

 

[Scorpio]

He's a bit more engaging for the markers than Croker in that he can often have a few steps or a run out of dummy half. But his passing itself is often pretty ordinary... Quite a few of passes (not just yesterday) are high and looping... One last night went straight at Lodge's head from 3-4 metres away which he obviously put down. His defence doesn't seem particularly dominant either... which may be why he often started from the bench this year.

Next year is his 5th NRL season... I'm hoping for more improvement otherwise we need to go shopping for another hooker.

 

[LeonardCohen]

He's a bit more engaging for the markers than Croker in that he can often have a few steps or a run out of dummy half. But his passing itself is often pretty ordinary... Quite a few of passes (not just yesterday) are high and looping... One last night went straight at Lodge's head from 3-4 metres away which he obviously put down. His defence doesn't seem particularly dominant either... which may be why he often started from the bench this year.

Next year is his 5th NRL season... I'm hoping for more improvement otherwise we need to go shopping for another hooker.

Agree. To the untrained eye, he looks as good as most middle of the road 9s, but he’s below average.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Agree. To the untrained eye, he looks as good as most middle of the road 9s, but he’s pretty average .

Right in Penns price range.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Until we take the spine position of hooker seriously we will continue to be ordinary.

Look at the storm the last two weeks without Harry. Take API out of the Tigers. Look at the hapless Knights fiddling with everything including the hooker.

I hope the young fellas in this position come through quickly.

 

[Phobia]

Given Croker is playing on (mind-boggling decision), I wouldn't mind seeing them get about a 30/50 split, in the way of Simpkin. Croker has some utility value, but I'd prefer him starting for his defensive tenacity.

The problem with Croker is when he plays 80 minutes, which for whatever reason, was preferred.

IMO both are fill-ins until one, or both, of Large and Muagututia are ready.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Given Croker is playing on (mind-boggling decision), I wouldn't mind seeing them get about a 30/50 split, in the way of Simpkin. Croker has some utility value, but I'd prefer him starting for his defensive tenacity.

The problem with Croker is when he plays 80 minutes, which for whatever reason, was preferred.

IMO both are fill-ins until one, or both, of Large and Muagututia are ready.

I’m no doctor but I like everyone else I can’t fathom how Froggy will return to the field.

 

[Brookie1973]

Simpkins wins 100% of the scrums when we have the feed. Can’t ask more than that from a hooker.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Simpkins wins 100% of the scrums when we have the feed. Can’t ask more than that from a hooker.

I thought the lock should get credit for that as it never goes near the hooker

 

[Brookie1973]

I thought the lock should get credit for that as it never goes near the hooker

Yes, in all honesty, same of the feeds may not have been entirely straight. At least they’ve solved the pushing off the mark problem - that never seems to get penalised these days.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Given Croker is playing on (mind-boggling decision), I wouldn't mind seeing them get about a 30/50 split, in the way of Simpkin. Croker has some utility value, but I'd prefer him starting for his defensive tenacity.

The problem with Croker is when he plays 80 minutes, which for whatever reason, was preferred.

IMO both are fill-ins until one, or both, of Large and Muagututia are ready.

I thought I read he was waiting on sign off for his concussion issues as to a medical retirement.

 

[skull61]

Yes, in all honesty, same of the feeds may not have been entirely straight. At least they’ve solved the pushing off the mark problem - that never seems to get penalised these days.

And loose arms don’t see them penalised any more