Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I think people need to chill on Simpkin. For me, he's shown enough at this point in his development. He can handle himself in the middle in defence. He just doesn't have enough gas in the tank to maintain his skillset with the ball in hand on top of making 30-40 tackles.

Remember, he missed 2 years of development in NSW cup, and he is still only 20 years old.

Let's look at the ages of the younger hookers going around the NRL:
  • Wayde Egan - 25
  • Jake Turpin - 25
  • Jacob Liddle - 25
  • Jayden Brailey - 25
  • Harry Grant - 24
  • Erin Clark - 24
  • Mitch Kenney - 24
  • Reed Mahoney - 23
  • Blayke Brailey - 23
  • Sam Verrills - 23
  • Tom Starling - 23
  • Reece Robson - 23
  • Reuben Cotter - 23
  • Tyran Wishart - 22
As you can see, he is 2-3 years behind the other hookers in the comp. He has improved since last year and we can expect that he'll continue to. Give him time.
 
Chad Thundersock said:
I think people need to chill on Simpkin. For me, he's shown enough at this point in his development. He can handle himself in the middle in defence. He just doesn't have enough gas in the tank to maintain his skillset with the ball in hand on top of making 30-40 tackles.

Remember, he missed 2 years of development in NSW cup, and he is still only 20 years old.

Let's look at the ages of the younger hookers going around the NRL:
  • Wayde Egan - 25
  • Jake Turpin - 25
  • Jacob Liddle - 25
  • Jayden Brailey - 25
  • Harry Grant - 24
  • Erin Clark - 24
  • Mitch Kenney - 24
  • Reed Mahoney - 23
  • Blayke Brailey - 23
  • Sam Verrills - 23
  • Tom Starling - 23
  • Reece Robson - 23
  • Reuben Cotter - 23
  • Tyran Wishart - 22
As you can see, he is 2-3 years behind the other hookers in the comp. He has improved since last year and we can expect that he'll continue to. Give him time.
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Have said this a few times. The kid will make it if his body holds up.
 
W
Kelce68 said:
Brooks at 9 is a potential sleeping giant of a concept.
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Once AD is back would love to see them run with
6. AD
7. Hastings
9. Liddle
14. Brooks: interchanging with Liddle at hooker, I reckon they would form a lethal 1-2 punch if Brooks could buy into his switch of position and role.

Or
6. AD
7. Madden
9. Liddle
13. Hastings
14. Brooks

Madden actually showed a bit of spark last week, wouldn't mind giving him a bit more time to settle in and show what he's got.
 
Kelce68 said:
Pretty good for a bloke of 20 who, 2 weeks ago, was a starting NRL hooker.
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They really need to do something to lessen his workload a bit, he offers zero in attack at the moment with his defensive workload. You can't have a DH who isn't an attacking threat these days, especially in a team as devoid of attacking prowess as ours.

Start Simpkin for first 20 mins to handle the early defensive load, Liddle for 20 mins either side of halftime- giving him that 10 mins recovery. Then Simpkin on for last 20 and see if he can show something in attack with a full tank of gas.
 
Kelce68 said:
Pretty good for a bloke of 20 who, 2 weeks ago, was a starting NRL hooker.
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Agree. Considering last year he was 19 as well and had a shoulder issue end of last year.

Starting against the Knights backing up after starting against the Storm I thought he was one of very few bright spots we had. Most forwards struggle the next week he seemed to play better:

71mins, 76mtrs from 7 runs (more than our props), 43 tackles & 1 missed with no errors.

Warriors game he was terrible, with Liddle back hope he gets some time back in reggies and we ease his NRL workload. With Api next year we have zero need to rush him over the next few years. He is a long term project who we need to see develop into a NRL star in 2-3yrs time. Let's hope with Robbie/Api we can get the best out of him.
 
Fade.To.Black said:
They really need to do something to lessen his workload a bit, he offers zero in attack at the moment with his defensive workload. You can't have a DH who isn't an attacking threat these days, especially in a team as devoid of attacking prowess as ours.

Start Simpkin for first 20 mins to handle the early defensive load, Liddle for 20 mins either side of halftime- giving him that 10 mins recovery. Then Simpkin on for last 20 and see if he can show something in attack with a full tank of gas.
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I don't doubt his toughness, but I'm not sure how quick Simkin is, either between the ears or leg speed, but nothing is evident from NRL appearances to date. Would prefer him to develop/show something in KOE before taking up a position in the 17.
 
Kelce68 said:
This is the great trope of Rugby League; that a certain position needs to be a certain type of player.

A five-eighth doesn't need to be quick and elusive, he could be big and strong, or slippery, or an organiser, or a run-first player, or a skilful backrower-type, or whatever...

Provided a team plays to their strengths, with a game plan to suit, any number of body types or skillsets can work in just about any position.

Cam Murray works as a 13. NAS works as a 13.
Cam Smith worked as a 9. Robbie worked as a 9. Damien Cook works as a 9.

All these players are built different and play different.

AD can be a great five-eighth in my opinion and is best suited there. But equally, he could be a great centre. It depends on the strengths and needs of the team and how he's used.
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What the hell ya doin' here?

Ya make too much sense.
 
Demps said:
#6 all day and has so much belief in himself to succeed at 6.

A man on a mission.
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No way brother, lack of mobility and speed plus can’t use his height for anything but bombs and a strong running game. His long cutouts and kicks on a scramble would be JUST as valuable at centre, if not more.

I’ll be surprised if he returns at 6, doubt it
 
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TieDye said:
No way brother, lack of mobility and speed plus can’t use his height for anything but bombs and a strong running game. His long cutouts and kicks on a scramble would JUST as valuable at centre, maybe more.

I’ll be surprised if he returns at 6, doubt it
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Madge wants its, Sheens wants it, Adam wants it.
They've all said as much.

Our best player last year, nothings blocking that return.
 
Demps said:
Madge wants its, Sheens wants it, Adam wants it.
They've all said as much.

Our best player last year, nothings blocking that return.
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Madge is the only one on record as saying that, I believe? So you gotta back that up as I’m pretty sure Adam will be our long-term captain without needed the added pressure of 6 coming back from several long term injuries that have clearly affected his strongest skill = running game. Needs time and patience, of course, no doubt he has self confidence!

I would say Stef was our best player and Laurie a close second based on his ceiling. Look how things have changed?
 
no way we would talk Thompson and his $ 800 k and pay brooks $600 k to play at dogs , no way
I would consider brooks at Fullback first , got safe hands and can motor , may not be as dumb as some may think , Laurie on the bench to cover , Fullback , 5/8, Centre ,
adam and Jackson in the half’s
go buy a prop and back rower
I think Starford and The Pom will,be ok in the centres with more experience now for next year , I think the pair will both come good , they looked ok last weekend
 
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