Jake Simpkin signed until 2026

[Disco]

Edit: does anyone remember how Wayne Bennett told Matt Ballin he'd likely not be a first grader ? Hahaha. Even the best fark up.

Yeah it's cause progression from Juniors is not a straightforward thing.

There are your Aaron Grooms and Addison Demetrious that look like stars and go nowhere. Then there are your Matt Ballins or Jacob Prestons who were passed over a bit then kicked on.

Look Jarome Hughes or Cody Walker. Walker went through Titans, Panthersand Storm before he debuts at Souths and Hughes went Titans and Cowboys.

It is impossible to get it right all the time as it is an exact science. The best you can hope is you get it more often than not.

 

[Ryan]

Yeah it's cause progression from Juniors is not a straightforward thing.

There are your Aaron Grooms and Addoson Demetrious that look like stars and go nowhere. Then there are your Matt Ballins or Jacob Prestons who were passed over a bit then kicked on.

Look Jarome Hughes or Cody Walker. Walker went through Titans, Panthersand Storm before he debuts at Souths and Hughes went Titans and Cowboys.

It is impossible to get it right all the time as it is an exact science. The best you can hope is you get it more often than not.

Exactly mate. So let's all hope and pray Simpkin is in the Ballin basket. One can only hope.

 

[Will on the hill]

After being initially underwhelmed, I've actually warmed to this now.

Specialist 9. Junior rep player. Was in the QLD comp as a youth. Is still young. Could be zippy (his hero is Cookie). Tigers lower grades aren't that bad are they? So that losing culture / mentality may not have completely claimed him yet.

Please oh-lord let this be a Matt Ballin-esque acquisition. Others have said it in this thread, we've been crying out for a proper 9. Well here we go.

Something exciting to actually watch and hope for.

Edit: does anyone remember how Wayne Bennett told Matt Ballin he'd likely not be a first grader ? Hahaha. Even the best fark up.

That was around the same time he let Cam Smith go.
Ended up running the likes of Richard Swain and Barry Berrigan at Hooker. Even the GOATs get it very very wrong sometimes.

 

[eaglebuzz]

After being initially underwhelmed, I've actually warmed to this now.

Specialist 9. Junior rep player. Was in the QLD comp as a youth. Is still young. Could be zippy (his hero is Cookie). Tigers lower grades aren't that bad are they? So that losing culture / mentality may not have completely claimed him yet.

Please oh-lord let this be a Matt Ballin-esque acquisition. Others have said it in this thread, we've been crying out for a proper 9. Well here we go.

Something exciting to actually watch and hope for.

Edit: does anyone remember how Wayne Bennett told Matt Ballin he'd likely not be a first grader ? Hahaha. Even the best fark up.

I don't think he'll be as robust as Ballin was but I'm hoping his running game will be better than Ballin's.

 

[Will on the hill]

I don't think he'll be as robust as Ballin was but I'm hoping his running game will be better than Ballin's.

His service and running game are definitely upgrades on any Hooker we have at the club. The only questions I have is how quickly he will adapt to our systems and will he be a liability in defence.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Edit: does anyone remember how Wayne Bennett told Matt Ballin he'd likely not be a first grader ? Hahaha. Even the best fark up.

Imagine if Seibold did that ….. this site would be in meltdown … the ‘sack Seibold ‘ thread would be jammed!

Just sayin’

 

[Waz13]

That was around the same time he let Cam Smith go.
Ended up running the likes of Richard Swain and Barry Berrigan at Hooker. Even the GOATs get it very very wrong sometimes.

Plenty in those Brisbane systems were let go under Wayne’s watchful eye. Happens everywhere though.

 

[Will on the hill]

Plenty in those Brisbane systems were let go under Wayne’s watchful eye. Happens everywhere though.

Can't keep em all.

 

[swoop]

I take it back, this bloke service from dummy half has been great. His defence is very good too.

 

[nightster]

Good solid debut - look forward to watching the combinations develop

 

[manlyfan76]

HAIL SIMPKIN
HAIL THE GREAT MAN

 

[LeonardCohen]

How many line breaks did we make just shy of the ruck today? What a surprise! Someone that can attack markers, get his forwards over the ad line and help his halves play on the front foot makes a difference.

Oh and 80 minutes in the middle and the opposition score 14 points only.

 

[Dion Johnson]

How many line breaks did we make just shy of the ruck today? What a surprise! Someone that can attack markers, get his forwards over the ad line and help his halves play on the front foot makes a difference

Oh and 80 minutes in the middle and the opposition score 14 points only.

Will only get better, would have been nice to have some fresh big bodies there for him to hit today.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Just goes to show that an average natural hooker is what we have needed all along. Great debut.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I hoped he would be solid,much better than solid,never been happier to eat humble pie.

 

[maxta]

How many line breaks did we make just shy of the ruck today? What a surprise! Someone that can attack markers, get his forwards over the ad line and help his halves play on the front foot makes a difference.

Oh and 80 minutes in the middle and the opposition score 14 points only.

Nails it every time this bloke 💯

 

[maxta]

I think everyone overlooked he sat behind API - shrewd business by Manly

 

[Disco]

Good debut, long may it continue.

A few may be going back and delwting some hysterical earlier posts

 

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

I honestly overlooked simpkin & concentrated more on bullymore,brown & dce.Finally a hooker.

 

[Ryan]

Welcome to Manly. Ladies and gentlemen, we now have a long term 9.

Before anyone says anything about Croker....after seeing Lawton at 13 today, could anyone else seen a ball playing, hole running 13 in Croker like Alan Tongue ?