Croker

[BOZO]

I mean exactly that, why did he get dropped?? For the first time since we lost Api and Manase Fainu in one foul swoop, we had a dummy half who actually gave very good dummy half service.
So why did Seibold drop him??

WHY is one of the most asked questions in life feathered friend
The Great Professor Julius Sumner Miller Always asked WHY IS IT SO ???

I ask why didnt Seibold fall of his chair ???
We will never know
and neither we will ever know why he dropped Simpkin
Only Seibold knows

 

[HoldenV8]

@BOZO ... although we did make the Finals, I just can't help but feel we would have been a bit higher up the ladder going into them had we persisted with Simpkin at dummy half.

When Froggy came back from his neck injury and took over the position there was a noticeable drop in the quality of our dummy half service. It seemed like everyone could see it except those who counted, the coach and his staff.

I'm still at a loss as to why 😕 🤷‍♂️

 

[double hoops]

Lachlan Croker – Bloke In A Bar – Podcast

Lachlan Croker joins me in the studio to talk about his journey from being a country kid that was a half at Raiders to a hooker at the Sea Eagles and all of the adversity in between. DMP shirts... – Listen to Lachlan Croker by Bloke In A Bar instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no...

podtail.com

That was good.

One of the big take aways for me, Frog thinks he doesn't need to be the play maker at 9. Id like him to do more in that space. I really feel throwing him back into the halves, lock making him ball play and be responsible for scoring points Is exactly what his development at hooker again needs.

 

[Marto1970]

That was good.

One of the big take aways for me, Frog thinks he doesn't need to be the play maker at 9. Id like him to do more in that space. I really feel throwing him back into the halves, lock making him ball play and be responsible for scoring points Is exactly what his development at hooker again needs.

Yep he seems comfortable playing the workhorse hooker ,mentioned defence was their main objective to improve, i think it can still work with him at 9 just Gordy/Simpkins 14 to add some impact and a more versatile/mobile lock

 

[double hoops]

Yep he seems comfortable playing the workhorse hooker ,mentioned defence was their main objective to improve, i think it can still work with him at 9 just Gordy/Simpkins 14 to add some impact and a more versatile/mobile lock

The other interesting comment for me was his comment about training. Went something like needing to find that balance of staying good friends but challenging each other enough to improve?

Are we soft trainers?

 

[manlyfan76]

Crokes only 28 next year.

 

[Rocky]

The Croker decision is the biggest question looking over Manly this season.

Will Simpkin take the 9 from him? We need a change, and Gordy is not the answer, sadly.

Over to you Jake Simpkin.

(the second biggest is will Jake go to prop)

 

[Tragic Eagle]

If the needed changes are not made I can’t see us improving in 2025.

 

[Bloke on the hill]

In 2025, I'd have Croker as captain of Blacktown workers all year so he can assist the young blokes coming through. Otherwise it will be a similar result to 2024.

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

 

[silvereagle]

Both lachlan and jake are my two favourite players in the side. Unfortunately they will be the same two players with the biggest decisions hanging over their heads for 25. Don't envy Seibold one bit but I think the required changes are becoming more obvious each day.

 

[Ben]

If the needed changes are not made I can’t see us improving in 2025.

Unfortunately I can’t see us upgrading our hooker as Croker is on quite a modest contract. We are getting some good value from him considering what he is on.
I agree his attack/running game is non existent and is something we need to go to the level. If he can develop this part of his game this would go a long way to solving this issue. Doesn’t have the pace to be explosive but neither did Cameron Smith, just needs to be smart about it.
He is up there with Jake as one of our grittiest defenders and holds our middle together.
Has a good kicking game where he can sniff out a 40/20 which is what we need to take the pressure off our halves.

Like I’ve mentioned he isn’t perfect but he is very close to what our side needs.

 

[Rocky]

Unfortunately I can’t see us upgrading our hooker as Croker is on quite a modest contract. We are getting some good value from him considering what he is on.
I agree his attack/running game is non existent and is something we need to go to the level. If he can develop this part of his game this would go a long way to solving this issue. Doesn’t have the pace to be explosive but neither did Cameron Smith, just needs to be smart about it.
He is up there with Jake as one of our grittiest defenders and holds our middle together.
Has a good kicking game where he can sniff out a 40/20 which is what we need to take the pressure off our halves.

Like I’ve mentioned he isn’t perfect but he is very close to what our side needs.

Hi Ben - I do agree with a lot of what you say. And I have been pro Croker (given his modest contract) as a glue guy.

However, what was clear last season was that the team looked better with Simpkin. That is a subjective opinion, but it seemed to be shared by many others on here. And Simpkin is no star (yet)

For me seeing that is enough to know we need to do something at the 9 position. Hopefully, it is as simple as Simpkin improving and making the position his own.

I still see value in having Croker as a utility in the squad.

 

[BOZO]

Unfortunately I can’t see us upgrading our hooker as Croker is on quite a modest contract.

If the Storm had that Modest mentality
They would have kept a Miniature hooker like Croker
and miss out on Great hookers of the Magnitude of
Cam Smith
Brendon Smith
Harry Grant

 

[Rocky]

If the Storm had that Modest mentality
They would have kept a Miniature hooker like Croker
and miss out on Great hookers of the Magnitude of
Cam Smith
Brendon Smith
Harry Grant

I'm guessing Brendon Smith is a world class hooker to be in the company of Grant and Smith.

Not to be confused with Brandon Smith who is a mediocre NRL hooker.

 

[Ben]

If the Storm had that Modest mentality
They would have kept a Miniature hooker like Croker
and miss out on Great hookers of the Magnitude of
Cam Smith
Brendon Smith
Harry Grant

Would love to have those names on our roster but we don’t have the cap space for any type of upgrade. How do we improve the position when we simply can’t afford it?
It’s easy to tell what the problems are but it’s irrelevant when there is no proposed solution.

 

[madmax]

I’m hoping Simpkin gets another chance in 2025. Whilst he was our 9 during Croker’s absence we were winning & playing differently due to his superior passing. In saying that Brandon Smith would lift our forwards to another level, our dummy half service would be so much better. Combined with Smith’s attacking & burrowing prowess…..we would be right up there with the top teams easily!!! One can always dream…..he is on the outer at the Roosters.