Hooker situation

[jrtiger]

Jake Simpkin is 19. Harry Grant is 23. I know it's only trials, but he has shown plenty in a very short space of time. imagine what he'll be like in 4 years. he's our long term hooker for as long as he wants it, and I'm a big Liddle fan.

 

[BAGNF05]

One things for sure, Liddle will have to play a good standard of footy to keep young Simpkin out, looks every bit a long term NRL player.

And so does Liddle.

Exact point of my last post.

If I’m honest, I think Liddle is a bit of a worry defensively and I wouldn’t call him a tough player. Happy to be proven wrong by him though. I just think Simpkin will win the job.

It's easy to tell you have reservations. I'd say have a good look at him in person, at a game and his body is spot on.

Hasn't always been the case.

He needs to be judged from here on in not on the previous version of himself.
.
.

If he plays well rd 1 against the Raiders I’ll support his selection for rd 2. He’ll definitely be tested in that one.

So negative.

I like to be realistic mate, I’m yet to see him dominate in the NRL so I’m not about to expect it. Calling Papaali and Hodgson and co a test is just facts.



Lol but youre all in on Simpkin, give me a break.

Not at all, he’ll need to perform to hold down the spot if/when he wins it. Not sure why the attitude, I said it’s a great situation for the club to be in at hooker.

I think that Liddle will be first selection for the 9,Madge will give him the opportunity to finally show us his great skills at the NRL level and see if he is over all the injuries...Jake will definately be the future 9 and Madge is going to blood him into the team and not push him,he still needs NRL experience but not get hammered week in week out while he develops into a top line NRL 9...

Simpkin looks like he could handle 15 minute bursts at lock so maybe we can use them both pretty extensively this year. I have faith in Madge and it’s the right side back row position that will come under scrutiny I believe.

 

[Shooter Mcgavin]

As much as I thought ET and McIntrye were good without being spectacular, it will help not having those two getting concussed every second game in regard to how much bench cover we may or may not need.

Personally I’d lean toward the two hookers and have Mbye in the 18 role until form/injury dictates. Mbye and TT/AJ (whoever misses wing spot) will be good to carry in the 18-21 and I wouldn’t want to rush Mbye back from a hamstring injury considering his age and history until he was 100%.

 

[TigerWest]

Jake Simpkin is 19. Harry Grant is 23. I know it's only trials, but he has shown plenty in a very short space of time. imagine what he'll be like in 4 years. he's our long term hooker for as long as he wants it, and I'm a big Liddle fan.

With respect, he has had 2 half games in trials in over a season, I think he has proven nothing, I think he well may be good'n, but not yet.
Liddle is only 24, if his body holds out, there is no reason to knock him off.
From memory, Benji & Teddy had bad runs with injury early on?
I am not a huge fan of Liddle due to his injuries, but if he gets through, i don't see any problems with his game?

 

[jrtiger]

Jake Simpkin is 19. Harry Grant is 23. I know it's only trials, but he has shown plenty in a very short space of time. imagine what he'll be like in 4 years. he's our long term hooker for as long as he wants it, and I'm a big Liddle fan.

With respect, he has had 2 half games in trials in over a season, I think he has proven nothing, I think he well may be good'n, but not yet.
Liddle is only 24, if his body holds out, there is no reason to knock him off.
From memory, Benji & Teddy had bad runs with injury early on?
I am not a huge fan of Liddle due to his injuries, but if he gets through, i don't see any problems with his game?

Liddle's a very good footballer and I think injury free and playing with confidence he is an asset, but Simpkin could honestly be anything. that doesn't mean we can't hold onto the two of them, and hopefully we do, but if we have to make a decision in the next few years I think Liddle would get the flick.

 

[TigerWest]

Jake Simpkin is 19. Harry Grant is 23. I know it's only trials, but he has shown plenty in a very short space of time. imagine what he'll be like in 4 years. he's our long term hooker for as long as he wants it, and I'm a big Liddle fan.

With respect, he has had 2 half games in trials in over a season, I think he has proven nothing, I think he well may be good'n, but not yet.
Liddle is only 24, if his body holds out, there is no reason to knock him off.
From memory, Benji & Teddy had bad runs with injury early on?
I am not a huge fan of Liddle due to his injuries, but if he gets through, i don't see any problems with his game?

Liddle's a very good footballer and I think injury free and playing with confidence he is an asset, but Simpkin could honestly be anything. that doesn't mean we can't hold onto the two of them, and hopefully we do, but if we have to make a decision in the next few years I think Liddle would get the flick.

But not if he is playing well, he could go on for another10 years? I am sure we could find another hooker by then?

I don't want to see Simpkin gone, but he is behind Liddle atm, imo.

 

[Geo]

I'm just glad we have both Liddle an Simpkin...no need to play one of against the other...it's actually a good problem to have..

 

[Curaeus]

Jake Liddle fully fit is a very good player. Even allowing for the fact it was just a trial against an understrength opponent he was terrific on Sunday. Simpkin played well too in his few runs. Hope we can hold onto both. Neither would have any trouble finding another club.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Lids is great if he can have a break injury wise. If he does look out. The rule changes and Tamou/Joe/Twal/Luc forwards suit his style.

Jake needs time but the wraps on him are massive not just from Tigers faithful. His defense looks solid against the bigger men. He is a few years project but a he and Lids combo I think will surprise a few.

 

[Russell]

All will be revealed around the hooking role over the next 6 weeks or so . Jacob has a major issue with his defence he isn't a hit and stick type defender this again was obvious on Sunday , he is going to be exposed big time in this area .There could be some apprehension there due to previous shoulder issues,i hope this is the case as the guy deserves a good dig at the role .

Don't think there is an issue with his defence from what I have seen myself.

 

[Russell]

Jake Simpkin is 19. Harry Grant is 23. I know it's only trials, but he has shown plenty in a very short space of time. imagine what he'll be like in 4 years. he's our long term hooker for as long as he wants it, and I'm a big Liddle fan.

With respect, he has had 2 half games in trials in over a season, I think he has proven nothing, I think he well may be good'n, but not yet.
Liddle is only 24, if his body holds out, there is no reason to knock him off.
From memory, Benji & Teddy had bad runs with injury early on?
I am not a huge fan of Liddle due to his injuries, but if he gets through, i don't see any problems with his game?

Liddle's a very good footballer and I think injury free and playing with confidence he is an asset, but Simpkin could honestly be anything. that doesn't mean we can't hold onto the two of them, and hopefully we do, but if we have to make a decision in the next few years I think Liddle would get the flick.

That is just a guess on your part - the both of them could just as easily not kick on or Simpkin could become injury prone.

Question: is Harry becoming injury prone? - just a thought.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

We won't keep both, if we extend Liddle we will lose Simpkin when his contract goes, both are good players but neither is cam Smith so I can't see Simpmin sitting behind Liddle for 3 years

 

[WhiTe Tiger]

Sorry if this was posted elsewhere, but Liddle was on the Big Sports Breakfast in the morning.

https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=797151

 

[tigerballs]

All will be revealed around the hooking role over the next 6 weeks or so . Jacob has a major issue with his defence he isn't a hit and stick type defender this again was obvious on Sunday , he is going to be exposed big time in this area .There could be some apprehension there due to previous shoulder issues,i hope this is the case as the guy deserves a good dig at the role .

Don't think there is an issue with his defence from what I have seen myself.

I'm not sure what game some people are watching, his defence is outstanding.

 

[JC99]

All will be revealed around the hooking role over the next 6 weeks or so . Jacob has a major issue with his defence he isn't a hit and stick type defender this again was obvious on Sunday , he is going to be exposed big time in this area .There could be some apprehension there due to previous shoulder issues,i hope this is the case as the guy deserves a good dig at the role .

Don't think there is an issue with his defence from what I have seen myself.

I'm not sure what game some people are watching, his defence is outstanding.

It's good enough, wouldn't say outstanding. He does fall off one or two tackles, but so does Simpkin

 

[crazycat]

I’d say the most likely situation will be start of the season Liddle starts at 9, Mbye at the 14 and Simpkin in reserve grade for a bit and then into the team by say round 7 or 8

Why would Mbye be in the 14 when he has been training in the 1 all off season....I hope your not pinning your hopes on a rookie to to play 1 with hardly any NRL experience ....

As someone said here "Mbye at 1 in 2019 still gives me nightmares" and I could not agree more.
I never saw anyone work so hard to be so useless.
Mbye would literally be in the right place to tackle and save the try and be... the perfect speedhump.
Just so much running, so much passing, heck Mbye has soft hands I will give him that. But no scoring.

Happy for the Rookie to earn his spot. Considering we forgo Momo to get him though I expect the rookie to be in rnd 3.

 

[hsvjones]

For me we need 2 hookers every game due to the way the game is going with speed.
Having a fresh hooker come on for the last 30 mins against tried team will be a blessing. We finally have a big mobile pack that can run so if we keep our discipline in tack I truly believe we have an advantage over a lot of sides.

For me Liddle starts and Simpkins off the bench and see how they go as they may swap if needed. If Daine L goes well at FB I cannot see Mbye getting a spot at this stage unless injuries

 

[Tiger5150]

I’d say the most likely situation will be start of the season Liddle starts at 9, Mbye at the 14 and Simpkin in reserve grade for a bit and then into the team by say round 7 or 8

Why would Mbye be in the 14 when he has been training in the 1 all off season....I hope your not pinning your hopes on a rookie to to play 1 with hardly any NRL experience ....

As someone said here "Mbye at 1 in 2019 still gives me nightmares" and I could not agree more.
I never saw anyone work so hard to be so useless.
***Mbye would literally be in the right place to tackle and save the try and be... the perfect speedhump.***
Just so much running, so much passing, heck Mbye has soft hands I will give him that. But no scoring.

Happy for the Rookie to earn his spot. Considering we forgo Momo to get him though I expect the rookie to be in rnd 3.

Are you seriously suggesting Mbye is a poor defender?

 

[tigerballs]

All will be revealed around the hooking role over the next 6 weeks or so . Jacob has a major issue with his defence he isn't a hit and stick type defender this again was obvious on Sunday , he is going to be exposed big time in this area .There could be some apprehension there due to previous shoulder issues,i hope this is the case as the guy deserves a good dig at the role .

Don't think there is an issue with his defence from what I have seen myself.

I'm not sure what game some people are watching, his defence is outstanding.

It's good enough, wouldn't say outstanding. He does fall off one or two tackles, but so does Simpkin

No one makes 100%. In that last trial he made 3 in a row on the line at one stage, all on hard running forwards. He'll do me.

 

[avocadoontoast]

I’d say the most likely situation will be start of the season Liddle starts at 9, Mbye at the 14 and Simpkin in reserve grade for a bit and then into the team by say round 7 or 8

Why would Mbye be in the 14 when he has been training in the 1 all off season....I hope your not pinning your hopes on a rookie to to play 1 with hardly any NRL experience ....

As someone said here "Mbye at 1 in 2019 still gives me nightmares" and I could not agree more.
I never saw anyone work so hard to be so useless.
***Mbye would literally be in the right place to tackle and save the try and be... the perfect speedhump.***
Just so much running, so much passing, heck Mbye has soft hands I will give him that. But no scoring.

Happy for the Rookie to earn his spot. Considering we forgo Momo to get him though I expect the rookie to be in rnd 3.

Are you seriously suggesting Mbye is a poor defender?

There is an irrational hatred of Mbye that I don’t understand. He’s not worth what he’s being paid but to suggest he’s a poor defender is ridiculous.