Jake Simpkin signed until 2026

[Under the Sticks]

I don’t want to Strauss the point too much, but you’re right.

maybe creativity is just not in his genes

 

[God]

From what I’ve seen is pretty crafty around the ruck… does not scream out and out superstar, but then does Simpkins?

If we were spending salary cap to bring in a top-notch number nine, then I would get it just not sure that Simkins is top-notch, and therefore would rather see the money spent somewhere else

Agree, but even if both have the same talent and potential I'm taking the bigger guy every day rather than the one who's going to always struggle with size.

 

[Under the Sticks]

I have a really catchy succinct nickname for Jake (we already have one of those..).

How about "Homer's next of"....

They'll be shouting it from the hill in no time*

*disclaimer.....I have been reading too many of @Terry Zarsoff posts 😉

 

[LeonardCohen]

Go to admit I’m not was a lot of him in lower grades… is he that bad?

I've been wrong many times so I don't like to come off like a know-it-all, but to my eyes, I think it's not first grade standard. I see a similar problem with Tom Starling at Canberra. They're both quick and nuggety and can make a strong dart but they just don't have that consistent crisp service. Gordon can throw a nice right to left spiral, but it's after pausing with his hands on the ball at the ruck. The left to right passes are tragic. He seems like a ball of energy, a great young fella and good for team morale. I can see him being effective for 20 minutes in a game but I want Manly to have a genuine 9 that can provide service to our excellent halves. I put that above the odd darting run. But like I said, just the opinion of an arm chair critic.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Did Simpkin battle it out for the hooker role with Harry Grant when he was at thje Tigpies? If he learnt a thing or two from him it would be handy.

 

[frank stokes]

Agree, but even if both have the same talent and potential I'm taking the bigger guy every day rather than the one who's going to always struggle with size.

Fair enough… the thing that interested me when I compared the two was that Gordy has a better defensive record… mind you, Simpkins has played a LOT more NRL…

If Gordy’s service is as poor as @LeonardCohen says then I do get it - as our service has been ordinary for years and all the best teams get the ball to the first receiver ON the advantage line when they are attacking…

 

[lsz]

Here is another perspective view ...
It is obvious that we have lacked a match winning class hooker for years now
And a match winning Dominant Hooker signing would have an absolute Dominant Positive response on here

Bozo I am not saying my love for Gordy is based on anything factual

 

[Dion Johnson]

Did Simpkin battle it out for the hooker role with Harry Grant when he was at thje Tigpies? If he learnt a thing or two from him it would be handy.

Touted as better than Harry grant as a junior player, they would have been at the club at the same time, not sure if they were duelling over the position though.

One thing he does do very well is his ball delivery, crisp and at speed, DCE and Brooks will have a touch more time than what they have been.

 

[Rocky]

Wow some people are really talking up Talau he has had a couple of good games let's not over state his improvement.

Talau has been really good since he has been in first grade at Manly.

He really got the better of Staggs who is rated as one of the better centres in the game. He has consistently been one of Manlys best.

So yeah, he deserves talking up because some on here thought he was just another scrub from the wooden spooners.

Credit where its due.

 

[eaglebuzz]

It's farking hilarious ! People using Tommy Talau as the pin up boy now for benchmarking ! Hahaha.

Yeah he's only been our most consistent back after copping a hiding from naysayers in the preseason and blown everyone's expectations out of the water. Hilarious.

 

[joeboy]

I like to think Gordie paused for a second before he digested this news

I’m happy we have a new hooker, he seems solid, and could elevate behind a better team and more minutes

Shame we didn’t get tallyn da Silva he is the real prospect languishing Behind api. But I think he is a tartak boy so it was probably never gonna happen.

Still need a 2nd rower and some luck with injuries

 

[BOZO]

Bozo I am not saying my love for Gordy is based on anything factual

I love Gordy too and I hope he lives up to his potential
I hope Simpkins can make an impact and live up to Manly people high standards
Manly people are passionate and Proud People and they should be because they belong to the Greatest club of all !

 

[ManlyTragic]

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

Ok so why did we let him go?

 

[frank stokes]

Talau has been really good since he has been in first grade at Manly.

He really got the better of Staggs who is rated as one of the better centres in the game. He has consistently been one of Manlys best.

So yeah, he deserves talking up because some on here thought he was just another scrub from the wooden spooners.

Credit where its due.

I thought he was a terrible signing but happy to say it seems I was wrong… incredibly safe at the back so far and making good yardage out of the backfield…
Been a good signing..

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I have a really catchy succinct nickname for Jake (we already have one of those..).

How about "Homer's next of"....

They'll be shouting it from the hill in no time*

*disclaimer.....I have been reading too many of @Terry Zarsoff posts 😉

You’re only human.

 

[Rocky]

Ok so why did we let him go?

Because they put their eggs in Stabby's basket (which at the time most agreed was the right call)

That decision has set the club back for years sadly.

 

[Hertera]

What's Manly? A ham sandwhich? They wanted him and they're a pretty decent club by all accounts.

We were once a great club at the moment and for the last decade we have been a ham sandwich.

 

[The Right Edge]

Wasn't Damian Cook at 24 years of age stuck behind the great Michael Lichaa, wasn't rated by Des, left and went to Souths went on to play state of origin? Not saying that Simpkins is in that league yet, however may develop.

 

[jbb/james]

Bye week, sign a hooker. Not bad Manly, not Bad

 

[Damien2812]

Manly have the "eye of the tiger" out West. 🤭