Hooker situation

[Jedi_Tiger]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

 

[Speed2burn]

I mean Liddle literally played 80 mins his first game back from an ACL injury didn’t he?

I think he played more like 60 minutes, which I thought was great considering his first game back was almost 1 year to the day that he was injured.

Yeah sorry my bad, was only going off faint memory... and yeah I have full confidence he can handle it

 

[AJ1]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

I don't doubt Simpkin is a good player and will make the transition to regular first grade however Liddle should and will be given first crack. It's his spot to lose, anyone who thinks Simpkin should start ahead is going off the hype

 

[diedpretty]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

There is no doubt Simpkin is potentially a rep player of the future however Liddle deserves first crack at the 9. Simpkin is signed until the end of 2022 and will definitely get game time in 2021 to show what he has got. You mention Farah starting young - he did - he was 19 when he debuted mid way through the season off the bench. He only played 7 games in his first 2 years and they were off the bench. Even in 2005 he shared the hooking role at the start of the season. So its wrong to imply that Farah suddenly appeared as first grade hooker at the age of 19. He served his apprenticeship as did the wonder kid Grant.

 

[Tim Sheens]

I mean Liddle literally played 80 mins his first game back from an ACL injury didn’t he?

I think he played more like 60 minutes, which I thought was great considering his first game back was almost 1 year to the day that he was injured.

With few nines capable of eighty minutes, the 60 mins straight from rehab against match fit opponents was a huge effort. As another mentioned earlier, even if Simpkin is the "4th coming" as someone wrote, it is almost certain that he will not be capable of long minutes until late in the season and possibly longer-term.

Another thing I feel many don't give enough consideration is that Liddle is little more than a year older than Grant and due to injury 9missed much of the preceding 3 years you alluded to elsewhere. In reality, on top of full pre-seasons, Harry also had a lot "more footy under his belt" than Liddle when he came here last year.

Rather than continued speculation, we can all come back to this discussion in a couple of months with enough knowledge to allow for much more informed debate. Either way, whoever is playing in our nine needs to be performing for WT to climb the ladder into the eight.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

He will play first grade, but even if he doesn’t, a kid whose never played first grade is going to call the shots on what he wants to do in 2022? Yeah nah

 

[Tim Sheens]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

I understand the passage of time together with the amount of missed footy in between can pale our memories, but whilst Simpkin does indeed have recent representative honours and high praise, let's try not forget that of others.

Instead also recall that at 18 Liddle represented NSW in the 20's SOO and sacrificed his second appearance the following year to come off the bench for his WT debut when injury required it. Who knows what the future holds, but like Benji a decade and a half or so ago, we should be backing this guy that has spent more time in surgery and rehab to return for our WT.

 

[TrueTiger]

I think Jacob Liddle will be the WTs hooker in 2021,he is a great player that has proven to be NRL standard,only injuries have held him back from becoming a consistent hooker,his last injury was a freak accident that had him out of the game for so long,however that freak accident showcased the great Harry Grant who represented the WTs brilliantly...Liddle at his peak can and will be just as outstanding as Harry....

People who are praising Jake and Daine as the players who are going to take the WTs to finals are only going on excitement and hype,both very talented but UNPROVEN in the NRL arena..
Lets for a moment reflect on the hype of our little halfback,still hasnt played finals and is only now in the position to take this team forward after years learning his trade,once again a very talented kid who has taken a while to show his true talent,a talent when all goes right can be brilliant,that shows in him winning many awards such as dally m...
Laurie and Simpkin will have to be absolutely brilliant to make an impact this year,they need experience and experienced players around them,something Madge and Hartigan have done very,very well this year....

 

[Russell]

Liddle can't play 80 minutes so who will also play hooker?

Why can't he?

 

[tony soprano]

Liddle can't play 80 minutes so who will also play hooker?

Why can't he?

History tells

No way Madge carries 1 hooker to begin with

 

[Geo]

With Cammy currently still in limbo and McInnes injured there are no 80 min hookers in the game..even those like Koroisau still were given a breather at times during games....All clubs either carry a hooker or utility who can play hooker on the bench..

Why all of a sudden do people think Wests Tigers wont...

With Simpkin and Mbye I think we are in a better position than previous years with the likes of Reynolds, Walters (injured) or Taylor covering previously..

 

[Magpieger]

I don't know alot about Jake Simpkin, does anyone know what attributes he possesses that people have big wraps on him for?

 

[JC99]

With Cammy currently still in limbo and McInnes injured there are no 80 min hookers in the game..even those like Koroisau still were given a breather at times during games....All clubs either carry a hooker or utility who can play hooker on the bench..

Why all of a sudden do people think Wests Tigers wont...

With Simpkin and Mbye I think we are in a better position than previous years with the likes of Reynolds, Walters (injured) or Taylor covering previously..

There definitely are plenty of hookers who can play 80 but with the new rules a utility on the bench makes more sense than ever. Even clubs who played their hookers for 80 carried someone on their bench who can cover the backs.

 

[Russell]

Jacob Liddle has represented the **Australian Schoolboys** in 2015 and the **New South Wales junior Origin** side twice - although the second time he pulled out to make his Tiger debut.

Jake Simpkin has represented **QLD under 18's** in 2019.

Just to put things in perspective for those who have "Representative stars in their eyes."

 

[Geo]

With Cammy currently still in limbo and McInnes injured there are no 80 min hookers in the game..even those like Koroisau still were given a breather at times during games....All clubs either carry a hooker or utility who can play hooker on the bench..

Why all of a sudden do people think Wests Tigers wont...

With Simpkin and Mbye I think we are in a better position than previous years with the likes of Reynolds, Walters (injured) or Taylor covering previously..

There definitely are plenty of hookers who can play 80 but with the new rules a utility on the bench makes more sense than ever. Even clubs who played their hookers for 80 carried someone on their bench who can cover the backs.

I wouldn't say plenty otherwise they would.. but they didn't....

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

I understand the passage of time together with the amount of missed footy in between can pale our memories, but whilst Simpkin does indeed have recent representative honours and high praise, let's try not forget that of others.

Instead also recall that at 18 Liddle represented NSW in the 20's SOO and sacrificed his second appearance the following year to come off the bench for his WT debut when injury required it. Who knows what the future holds, but like Benji a decade and a half or so ago, we should be backing this guy that has spent more time in surgery and rehab to return for our WT.

Jacob has played 43 games and coming back from injury we will see
just hope we use Simpkin at some point

 

[balmain boy]

I don't know alot about Jake Simpkin, does anyone know what attributes he possesses that people have big wraps on him for?

He's a strong runner, very quick out of dummy half and stocky legs so not easy to pull down. Has a decent short kicking game, a good pass and has a big work ethic in defence.

He's a more balanced overall player than Liddle, but Liddle's delivery is possibly better

 

[balmain boy]

Liddle can't play 80 minutes so who will also play hooker?

Why can't he?

A player that's spent most of the past 5 years injured isn't suddenly going to be expected to front up 80 mins a week. That's reckless management. Ease his workload and fitness

Lots of hookers don't play 80 mins these days with the speed of the ruck.

Can he play 80. Yes. Should be be expected to straight away? No

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

He will play first grade, but even if he doesn’t, a kid whose never played first grade is going to call the shots on what he wants to do in 2022? Yeah nah

well we didn't play the Fox and look what happened he went elsewhere
Liddle has only played 43 games
either way we have two good options

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Liddle will prove a lot of doubters wrong. He's the biggest he's ever been, he's had his best offseason yet (especially being injury free), and for the first time he will likely start the season as our preferred hooker, receiving plenty of playing time. For added motivation, he's off contract and has a potential successor nipping at his heels.
For the people wanting Simpkin over Liddle, have you actually seen him play or are you going off the hype? I admit I haven't seen him play a full game of any grade.

cleary was keen on Jake Simpkin so was Brisbane and Melbourne storm
He will be good, Robbie Farah was young when he started too
Liddle is a solid hooker but Simpkin could be future rep player and some say equal to Grant at same age and also under 18's Qld hooker
if we dont play him at least at 14 some time this year we will lose him as he won't want to be stuck behind Liddle for 2022

He will play first grade, but even if he doesn’t, a kid whose never played first grade is going to call the shots on what he wants to do in 2022? Yeah nah

well we didn't play the Fox and look what happened he went elsewhere
Liddle has only played 43 games
either way we have two good options

He was off contract, Simpkin won’t be. As usual, you concoct little fantasy scenarios based on nothing more than what you want to happen