Round 1 team prediction

[manly al]

Think that it would be better starting with Simpkin just to mainly get a good tempo and rhythm going with the pack and to get over the advantage line and with overall go forward .
Not to say that Tevaga is not capable of playing as a 9 but could only expect some limitations on what he could do there at any stage of the game .
Having said that , Tevaga may be a better option with his versatility on the bench instead of Gordie .
Having Froggy unavailable for the initial part of the season certainly has thrown up a couple of variables and guess that trial form will be definitely taken into account as well

 

[Phobia]

I think Seibold is a big fan of Jazz. Not so sure about Simkin. If you go back to late last year when Croker came back from injury, everyone thought Simkin would drop down to 14. But that was not the case and Seibold opted for Gordie at 14 instead. So am not sure if Simkin gets a start in a few weeks. I am also hearing Zordas (Muagututia?) impressing the right people at training....at 9.
We will get more clues in a few weeks in the trials.

The reason why Simpkin was dropped straight to reserve grade from being the main hooker, is the same reason why he left the Tigers in the first place. He's not a second-fiddle hooker by any means. He was stuck behind Koroisau and was very underwhelming as a bench hooker option. In a simple matter of game management, GCKT genuinely offers more as a bench injection hooker than Simpkin, but Simpkin offers a whole lot more as a long-minutes starter. In the end, both were dropped anyway, as Lawton was in the 17 to back up or spell Croker anyway.

I think it would be madness for Seibold to pick Tevaga as our hooker come round one. He's Lawton-tier. Backup only. Given Seibold snubbed Lawton at hooker, and actively went out to recruit Simpkin for three whole years instead, I don't think Tevaga is even going to be considered in our hooking rotation. If anything, it'll probably be #9 Simpkin and #14 GCKT / Zaidas. Wouldn't mind seeing Zaidas debut, if he's had a good off-season. It's him vs GCKT for a 2026 spot in the side.

I think Jazz gets the starting hooker spot if Des was still here.

 

[MW66]

Bulldog forum rated Zaidas highly and he certainly looks fit and strong in the team photos (and figures prominently). I would imagine behind Simpkins and GCKT at this stage.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Im looking forward to the trial games.