Jake Simpkin signed until 2026

[LeonardCohen]

It probably means Gordy is not cutting the mustard.

Watching his passing game, I would agree.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I’m not too worried about the manager thing, it works both ways. If you are connected to a manager, you can get an inside running on their good players. The Simpkin opportunity has materialised because of said connection. I think manager monopoly is media spin. We had heaps of Tartak clients, got rid of the ones we didn’t want and kept the ones we did!

 

[Dion Johnson]

I like the signing of a number nine, makes more sense than the Schoup signing.

Very highly rated junior player, those that have watched him play say he struggled with not being able to run the ball at the Tigers, defensively he needs to be better.

Hopefully some coin is now put aside for a backrower.

 

[BOZO]

We finally have a genuine 9 in the squad. Who knows how it will turn out? But how can it be worse than what we already had? Plenty of upside to this.

We have a genuine 9 in GKT and who knows how he will turn out to be ?
Maybe Ricky can have a go at him as well ?
Weekes and GKT in the Raders Spine ?

 

[LeonardCohen]

We clearly need a genuine hooker, it’s so obvious. Better to sign a highly rated 22 year old than go looking at Jake Granville or another experienced journeyman that will fill a hole. At least there is potential to develop a really strong first grader that can stick around and build combinations with teammates. I prefer that to transit lounge depth signings.

 

[LeonardCohen]

We have a genuine 9 in GKT and who knows how he will turn out to be ?
Maybe Ricky can have a go at him as well ?
Weekes and GKT in the Raders Spine ?
View attachment 27204

I can throw a better spiral pass than Gordon. He is not the answer.

 

[BOZO]

I’m not too worried about the manager thing, it works both ways.

It only works best for Club Managers that get their way

 

[ManlyTragic]

If he is any good why would the tigers feel the need to recruit Api?

 

[stoodamire]

We also had a few spots we need to fill for our top 30 for the rest of the season.

 

[BOZO]

I can throw a better spiral pass than Gordon. He is not the answer.

I appreciate your answer feathered friend
Weekes was not the answer for Seibold either
But the less salary cap value Weekes is now giving the Raiders as good value as the much higher salary cap signing Brooks at Manly

 

[47MVEagle]

I’m not too worried about the manager thing, it works both ways. If you are connected to a manager, you can get an inside running on their good players. The Simpkin opportunity has materialised because of said connection. I think manager monopoly is media spin. We had heaps of Tartak clients, got rid of the ones we didn’t want and kept the ones we did!

But we re-signed Schuster because of pressure from Tartak.

 

[47MVEagle]

If he is any good why would the tigers feel the need to recruit Api?

To attract Luai & other players.

 

[Rocky]

If he is any good why would the tigers feel the need to recruit Api?

If you can get the premier hooker (well at least top 3) in the game, then you get him

 

[stoodamire]

If he is any good why would the tigers feel the need to recruit Api?

Maybe because he's a three time premiership winning hooker?

 

[BOZO]

If he is any good why would the tigers feel the need to recruit Api?

Because the tigers believe that Api is their rebuild Markee player
The tigers also have an up and coming young hooker in Tallyn who they believe is a better prospect .

 

[Disco]

I like the signing of a number nine, makes more sense than the Schoup signing.

Very highly rated junior player, those that have watched him play say he struggled with not being able to run the ball at the Tigers, defensively he needs to be better.

Hopefully some coin is now put aside for a backrower.

Small sample size this year but 69 tackles and 4 misses.

In fact his tackle efficiency is equal 1st in the league for hookers.

*obvs skewed by the small sample size but a positive indicator

 

[LeonardCohen]

If he is any good why would the tigers feel the need to recruit Api?

Simpkin is by no means the finished product and was 20 when the Tigers signed a three time premiership winning hooker. They had a rookie in Simpkin and a solid, if not, uninspiring Jacob Liddle (who is playing good footy away from the Tigers, I might add). It was a team crying out for leadership and experience; Koroisau gave them that on top of being in the top 3 hookers in the NRL.

It's only my opinion, but when judging a signing, I always look at the player's raw skill set, more so than their current accolades. If they're talented, chances are they'll develop and flourish in the right system. I see Simpkin as a nuggety and robust defender, with decent speed and an excellent pass. He is error prone and makes some questionable reads (e.g. clocking off at marker close to the line or shooting out towards a half, only for the prop to run the 'unders' line) in defence at times. Yet, both are systemic at the Tigers and not really part of a players 'raw ability'.

The Tigers have been a rabble for years. We've seen what Manly has done for Talau and we can do it with Simpkin. He doesn't need to develop into a rep player, he just needs to be solid, give good service, not let tries in, and we'll be very happy.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Welcome Jake & yes don’t read Silvertails

 

[Rocky]

To be honest most of the criticism has been around which club he is coming from...and the fact he doesn't start at that bottom club.

I haven't read many comments that talk to his playing ability and skills. I certainly don't know his game.

But Guys like Talau and Blore show that there are players worth plucking out of the Tigers.

Lets hope Simpkin is added to that list.

 

[BOZO]

ST has been screaming for a hooker for 3+ years now.

Looking forward to see how he goes.

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