Will Croker be back?

[manly al]

Looks like Froggy has been mainly included to give Simpkin a rest for whatever time .
Jazz to put most time at 13 all things normal , Brown to be used as a general middle .
Really don "t think that Froggy has any edge over Simpkin and even if he probably can soon get some match fitness .
Fair enough that Croker usually provides gritty defence and good tidying up role but Simpkin has been showing some good reliable defence for some time now and on general indications , better in service delivery .
Froggy can offer an option kicking game but not that effective really on the few limited times he tries clearance kicks .
Full credit to him however for getting back to i st grade after that difficult recovery time .
Coming in at the expense of Navale most likely and a bit questionable there but of course hope that he can go well when he does get introduced into the game

 

[Ohgeez]

Navale should be in there this week. Not the week to bring Croker back IMO. Who's he gunna come on for, Simpkin ? Been out too long. Would have thought they'd bring him back through the ressies first. Strange move.

Nothing against him but the only players that should come straight back into a team after being out so long is the representative level guys. He had problems in the off season & then misses the first 10 weeks, how can his fitness levels be expected to be good enough? Should have taken the Lodge route with him IMO but I guess we’ll see Friday night

 

[Nike]

I think something a lot of people forget is the boot Croker has on him, he's kicked a couple of 40/20's from dummy half from memory. He's not done just yet I'd say.

 

[CRPSI eagle]

He needs 2 weeks in reserves grades.
This is why Seibold is a poor coach.

 

[Rocky]

So the reason Seibold is a sh#t coach this week is because Croker is on the bench.

Are any of you at training to verify that he isn't fit to play a role off the bench?

 

[C_Eagle31]

Nothing against him but the only players that should come straight back into a team after being out so long is the representative level guys. He had problems in the off season & then misses the first 10 weeks, how can his fitness levels be expected to be good enough? Should have taken the Lodge route with him IMO but I guess we’ll see Friday night

Even then, both Slater and Papenhuyzen returned for the Storm off the bench or through reserve grade after their respective injuries.

Given how well Simpkin has gone this year thus far I'm confused as to why Croker wasn't eased back through reserve grade.

 

[Phobia]

I think something a lot of people forget is the boot Croker has on him, he's kicked a couple of 40/20's from dummy half from memory. He's not done just yet I'd say.

No idea why you're copping flack for this. Had tied most 40/20's in the comp in 2023. To be fair I've offloaded that season and Schuster's stupid no lookers from my memory too.

 

[Rocky]

Even then, both Slater and Papenhuyzen returned for the Storm off the bench or through reserve grade after their respective injuries.

Given how well Simpkin has gone this year thus far I'm confused as to why Croker wasn't eased back through reserve grade.

Croker is on the bench isn't he? The other guys you mention were starters asked to play 80 minutes

He will probably be asked to play 20-30 minutes....and potentially not even at hooker.

 

[manly al]

Croker is on the bench isn't he? The other guys you mention were starters asked to play 80 minutes

He will probably be asked to play 20-30 minutes....and potentially not even at hooker.

Think it would be a bit limited where Froggy could slot in within reason apart from a 9 role .
Aware of some suggestions as a 13 but again could see some restrictions there unless the rotation was in a desperate [ or part ] situation .
Think that him being suited in a 6 role has long passed and not based on a whole lot really but could be some chance that he could manage a 7 role on a limited scale if things again got a bit difficult on the rotation and suitable position role front

 

[Heckenberg]

Think it would be a bit limited where Froggy could slot in within reason apart from a 9 role .
Aware of some suggestions as a 13 but again could see some restrictions there unless the rotation was in a desperate [ or part ] situation .
Think that him being suited in a 6 role has long passed and not based on a whole lot really but could be some chance that he could manage a 7 role on a limited scale if things again got a bit difficult on the rotation and suitable position role front

Actually think he can cover all spine positions bar fullback and can also probably play lock. Hes a handy utility. Much more handy than having a second tier hooker like gckt on the bench. His defence is really good, has a kicking game and can obviously ball play well. Sure his running game ain’t much chop but when players go down in the spine his skillset is much more admirable than an impact player that can run but can’t direct play. Think it’s a good move for froggy and might have him playing another year or so with less time on the field.

 

[The Bandit]

Actually think he can cover all spine positions bar fullback and can also probably play lock. Hes a handy utility. Much more handy than having a second tier hooker like gckt on the bench. His defence is really good, has a kicking game and can obviously ball play well. Sure his running game ain’t much chop but when players go down in the spine his skillset is much more admirable than an impact player that can run but can’t direct play. Think it’s a good move for froggy and might have him playing another year or so with less time on the field.

Good points, will be nice to see him back. I'd like 20 - 1 on him saving a try tomorrow night. How many times have we seen him under someone preventing a try ? Genuine effort player.

 

[manlyfan76]

Hopefully we are up 30-0 after 30 mins and frogman can be eased in for a few minutes

 

[Ohgeez]

Not so sure Croker kicking a 40/20 on average 1 out of every 18 games helps the team much. Had a good year 2023 but last year played 16 games with 0 successful. 2020 - 2022 he played 69 games with 2 successful. Some would say 2023 was an anomaly. More interested to know how many forced drop outs or try assists he’s had in the past 5 years due to his kicking game because I can’t remember many.

 

[Disco]

People get in a tizz over the smallest things.

Croker off the bench for 25min is no issue

 

[Waz13]

Senior player, plus the training they do these days would give them a pretty good idea of whether he's ready. I hope he is ready to produce his best ever footy over the remaining rounds, but time will tell.
28 isn't old for NRL but he may not have much more to give, if he gets hurt again (also Jake).

We’re already starting to see the impact of RL in this modern era. Basically a sport for robots now where guys are getting so knocked around their careers will be lucky to make 30yrs old. Game is to fast now, head knocks every game, soft tissue injuries are chronic. Only getting worse so no doubt early retirements will only increase,

 

[Disco]

We’re already starting to see the impact of RL in this modern era. Basically a sport for robots now where guys are getting so knocked around their careers will be lucky to make 30yrs old. Game is to fast now, head knocks every game, soft tissue injuries are chronic. Only getting worse so no doubt early retirements will only increase,

Dunno.....when I was younger 32-33 seemed super old in RL with not many players going beyound that.

These days you have players, and still star players at 34, 35 on upwards

 

[Waz13]

Dunno.....when I was younger 32-33 seemed super old in RL with not many players going beyound that.

These days you have players, and still star players at 34, 35 on upwards

Yeah the strength, conditioning and fitness no doubt impacts as well. Interesting to see where the games at in 5-10yrs time. Wasnt aware Croker was 28. Thought he might have been 30 at least.