Jake Simpkin signed until 2026

[master blaster]

I wouldnt be surprised to see froggy retire at years end like Friend and Cordner. Another head knock would go against him and his confidence will be down, I hope I am wrong but his health is first and foremost for him and his family

 

[MW66]

I thought he had one of those games where he didn't really stand out e.g. nothing amazing and no mistakes but he did all the 1%'s and his service was good. As many have said "played like a real dummy half".

Also having played off the bench for the Tigers before coming to Manly he could not have been 100% match fit. To play 80 mins was outstanding. There was one moment in the 2nd half where the Dragons were passing the ball around like a hot potato and looking dangerous when the ball came free and Simpkins who had tracked back dived on the loose ball. 100% effort play.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I thought he had one of those games where he didn't really stand out e.g. nothing amazing and no mistakes but he did all the 1%'s and his service was good. As many have said "played like a real dummy half".

Also having played off the bench for the Tigers before coming to Manly he could not have been 100% match fit. To play 80 mins was outstanding. There was one moment in the 2nd half where the Dragons were passing the ball around like a hot potato and looking dangerous when the ball came free and Simpkins who had tracked back dived on the loose ball. 100% effort play.

I think his performance was a big deal because of the circumstances. We cannot underestimate how difficult timing and combinations can be in such a demanding position. Then throw in the injuries to the middle rotation and suddenly he is being asked to play 80 minutes a week and half after arriving at the club. He had every right to fall off tacklers and throw ill timed and misguided passes as the game wore on but didn’t.

The Olakauatu try came off some nice change of direction, where he jumped out left and threw to the right. The Ben T try came from a beautiful pass to get Jake across two defenders and bring the whole attack on the front foot. Then the most impressive play was the final Saab try. The Dragons defence was scrambling back on the right and he looked right the entire play-the-ball and could have gone to Brooks but went left where the line was ‘set’ but short of numbers and DCE iced the kick to Saab. It showed vision and maturity to pick the correct side.

 

[madmax]

I think his performance was a big deal because of the circumstances. We cannot underestimate how difficult timing and combinations can be in such a demanding position. Then throw in the injuries to the middle rotation and suddenly he is being asked to play 80 minutes a week and half after arriving at the club. He had every right to fall off tacklers and throw ill timed and misguided passes as the game wore on but didn’t.

The Olakauatu try came off some nice change of direction, where he jumped out left and threw to the right. The Ben T try came from a beautiful pass to get Jake across two defenders and bring the whole attack on the front foot. Then the most impressive play was the final Saab try. The Dragons defence was scrambling back on the right and he looked right the entire play-the-ball and could have gone to Brooks but went left where the line was ‘set’ but short of numbers and DCE iced the kick to Saab. It showed vision and maturity to pick the correct side.

We’ve not had that ‘change of direction’ type of hooker for quite awhile. If he keeps going he’ll be a great pickup. Can’t wait to watch him next week. He just looks the goods….played Qld under 16s, Qld under 18s. Had many wraps on him. Was behind Api at the tigers so not many opportunities to show what he can do. Young & could become one of our best in years to come. The more he plays, the more confidence he’ll get. In one game has shown he’s what we’ve been missing. Depending on Crokers issues with concussion & Lawton leaving Simpkin starting with Croker 14….. happy with his signing.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

We’ve not had that ‘change of direction’ type of [a] hooker for quite a while.

Fixed that for you, Max.

 

[madmax]

Fixed that for you, Max.

Lolol good one mate!

 

[eaglebuzz]

Some might disagree, but I'm convinced that if Croker or Lawton were at 9 we would have lost that match and lost it by plenty.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Some might disagree, but I'm convinced that if Croker or Lawton were at 9 we would have lost that match and lost it by plenty.

Having watched him play for the Tigpies, his ball delivery was crisp and delivered to the receiver at speed, the area he played well In yesterday was his defence and energy in following the ball.

Good game and can’t wait until he gets confidence around the playing group to run the ball a bit more as that’s his natural game.

 

[AlxFromNthNarra]

Some might disagree, but I'm convinced that if Croker or Lawton were at 9 we would have lost that match and lost it by plenty.

Some may take that as shade on Lawton @eaglebuzz - but you gotta hand it to the guy, he killed it when they shifted him to 2nd row to cover our forward losses, and luckily Simpkin was more than capable of owning our 9 jersey on his own.

Lawton has always been somewhat of a versatility play. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it makes sense, until it does - he was made for that scenario on the weekend. He can play multiple positions ably, but many are like jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none and all that. I get that, but he is handy in a Selleys-no-more-gaps type of way imo.

The Cowboys have picked up a good clubman, and I have nothing but respect for what Lawton did on the weekend. If we are to get through the injury crisis of this weekend, he is a great asset to have in the roster. A big game from him is a necessity this weekend.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Some may take that as shade on Lawton @eaglebuzz - but you gotta hand it to the guy, he killed it when they shifted him to 2nd row to cover our forward losses, and luckily Simpkin was more than capable of owning our 9 jersey on his own.

Lawton has always been somewhat of a versatility play. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it makes sense, until it does - he was made for that scenario on the weekend. He can play multiple positions ably, but many are like jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none and all that. I get that, but he is handy in a Selleys-no-more-gaps type of way imo.

The Cowboys have picked up a good clubman, and I have nothing but respect for what Lawton did on the weekend. If we are to get through the injury crisis of this weekend, he is a great asset to have in the roster. A big game from him is a necessity this weekend.

Lawton proved on the weekend that he's a far better second rower than he is a hooker.

Not a criticism of him as a footballer, but a good hooker in the 9 is just too important.

 

[IQofalimabean]

impressive debut, played like he had been playing with the team for years.

 

[Hibyemama]

lightning quick service. Slick, is Simpkins. Love his change of direction that led to Olakuatu try, and again quick service to DCE for Saab's try.

 

[Damien2812]

Why has it taken 5 years for the club to realise this.

Recruitment has been stambles for years. When Manase Fainu was stood down the club patched up the hooker position with Croker and once Fainu went to jail was our long term hooker. It's been one area where Manly has been weak for years and have always needed a specialist hooker.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

There was one pass he threw in the second half to Jake T and I was right in line with it; a beautiful spiral bullet that was...wait for it...OUT IN FRONT OF THE BALL RUNNER!

1000% agree .
I'm not joking when i say this BUT. we haven't had decent service since Manase Finau and even then it was still raw. Api even though he's had success in good sides (not us) used to throw some looping ****e up and behind the ball runners often.
May this kid just get better and better please gods of dummy half.....

 

[maxta]

So much praise and so worthy - positive thread this is....and I just wanna add something else !!
Very technically correct with his dummy half play off the ball....nothing seemed 'Rushed"
He didn't sprint 100mph to get in there, more took a look at how the tackle was played out, who was marker, where the numbers were and basically got to the play the ball on the hop, rather then standing there flat footed to halt momentum, or throw the forward passes we often do.
And due to the fact he is moving, it automatically brings the forwards onto the ball and this will only improve in coming weeks, especially when we get our biggest men back to roll that middle and win that advantage line battle.
I honestly feel that so much extra pressure has been put on our "fancy backs" to put the points on and often with zero momentum, from not winning that advantage line in recent years.
Attack like defence starts right here, in the ruck area.
Damn it's exciting to have a specialist 9 back in the Manly jersey.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

given the tigers link anyone fancy 'Harry Grant' Mark 2.

 

[Ryan]

Croker will be immediately thrown back in the team upon his return, and Lawton straight back into the 14.

 

[mave]

Croker will be immediately thrown back in the team upon his return, and Lawton straight back into the 14.

You are a beacon of positivity today Ryan.

Like a ray of sunshine beaming light and joy onto all of us

 

[lsz]

I think this is another area where the Shu situation really hurts us. I think in an ideal world Ben T is on the bench to cover outside backs and forwards. With him starting every week there is no natural cover which is why rather than a hooker or forward we end up with Karl who is sort of both but neither

 

[Ryan]

You are a beacon of positivity today Ryan.

Like a ray of sunshine beaming light and joy onto all of us

Why are you assuming that's a negative, unless you perceive it that way ya negative banana? See how we can both play that game? I may have been looking forward to Croker's return? How about you think about Lawton and Croker in more a positive light?

You always lean on pessimism.

Oh, and my comments today are mostly directed at our recruitment and retention. If you've thought that has been anywhere NEAR a positive, then I honestly think you just straight out hate our club. Wanting the status quo is the epitome of negativity. Wanting positive change, and being angry or frustrated at our current situation is the epitome of positivity - how you like that Mr toxic positivity?