Hooker situation

[KevB]

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.

I agree somewhat, last year I thought that Liddle was a little timid in defence mostly coming in 2nd and 3rd man in. This may have been due to comming of previous shoulder injuries and still lacking a bit of confidence. If this is the case I am sure coaching staff will sort it out one way or the other.

 

[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.

I agree somewhat, last year I thought that Liddle was a little timid in defence mostly coming in 2nd and 3rd man in. This may have been due to comming of previous shoulder injuries and still lacking a bit of confidence. If this is the case I am sure coaching staff will sort it out one way or the other.

I think he’ll either sink or swim with such a talent waiting in the wings, interesting sub plot to follow.

 

[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.

I agree somewhat, last year I thought that Liddle was a little timid in defence mostly coming in 2nd and 3rd man in. This may have been due to comming of previous shoulder injuries and still lacking a bit of confidence. If this is the case I am sure coaching staff will sort it out one way or the other.

I think he’ll either sink or swim with such a talent waiting in the wings, interesting sub plot to follow.

Sub plot? Man, there's no sub plot.

Were you at the game yesterday? Did you objectively judge the performance of Liddle and Simpkins?

Liddle was fantastic. While ever he is injury-free he should be the first person selected for the NRL team.

I was there and I did.

Was happy with the whole team and I’ve tipped Liddle to play 9 rd 1 in a separate post. But I’ve seen enough of Simpkin to understand that Liddle will need to be very very good this year. That’s the sub plot.

First picked come on man. You didn’t see Luciano and Doueihi?

 

[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.

I agree somewhat, last year I thought that Liddle was a little timid in defence mostly coming in 2nd and 3rd man in. This may have been due to comming of previous shoulder injuries and still lacking a bit of confidence. If this is the case I am sure coaching staff will sort it out one way or the other.

I think he’ll either sink or swim with such a talent waiting in the wings, interesting sub plot to follow.

Sub plot? Man, there's no sub plot.

Were you at the game yesterday? Did you objectively judge the performance of Liddle and Simpkins?

Liddle was fantastic. While ever he is injury-free he should be the first person selected for the NRL team.

I was there and I did.

Was happy with the whole team and I’ve tipped Liddle to play 9 rd 1 in a separate post. But I’ve seen enough of Simpkin to understand that Liddle will need to be very very good this year. That’s the sub plot.

First picked come on man. You didn’t see Luciano and Doueihi?

Yes, I did. They were impressive. But they're not a specialist hooker and that was the point of my comment. Liddle is far and away the best #9 option we have. So he is first picked for that role.

Agree he’ll be picked, but I think he’s under pressure to perform and keep his spot, which is great for WT

 

[TYGA]

One thing that is clear is Brooks looks better with a half that can get out fast and also get the ball off the deck at times.

It may sound odd to say but Robbie and Grant whilst great players stifle a fast moving halfback. We may not be better overall with Liddle/Simpkin over Harry but I’m sure that Brooks will be.

 

[BAGNF05]

One thing that is clear is Brooks looks better with a half that can get out fast and also get the ball off the deck at times.

It may sound odd to say but Robbie and Grant whilst great players stifle a fast moving halfback. We may not be better overall with Liddle/Simpkin over Harry but I’m sure that Brooks will be.

Robbie and Harry were behind the same plodding forward pack as Brooks has been.

Edit: it was really exciting seeing Tamou, Joffa and yes even Packer tearing in yesterday, and then the back ups did well too, the days of Sharon Woods carrying us by himself appear long gone.

 

[isaaktigers]

There was a one on one tackle that Liddle did that for me made me decide he is the starting number 9 for me, with Simpkin on the bench to kill people with his speed.

 

[The_Patriot]

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.
.
.

 

[hobbo1]

One thing that is clear is Brooks looks better with a half that can get out fast and also get the ball off the deck at times.

It may sound odd to say but Robbie and Grant whilst great players stifle a fast moving halfback. We may not be better overall with Liddle/Simpkin over Harry but I’m sure that Brooks will be.

Grant and Farah were hogs

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

There was a one on one tackle that Liddle did that for me made me decide he is the starting number 9 for me, with Simpkin on the bench to kill people with his speed.

He tackled one of the big boppers who lined him up. Think it was either Sironen or Sipley.

 

[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.

 

[The_Patriot]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Needaname]

One thing that is clear is Brooks looks better with a half that can get out fast and also get the ball off the deck at times.

It may sound odd to say but Robbie and Grant whilst great players stifle a fast moving halfback. We may not be better overall with Liddle/Simpkin over Harry but I’m sure that Brooks will be.

Brooks has always looked rock solid with Liddle at hooker. The thing is, Grant and Simpkin might have all the skills, more so I’d say. But I’ve spent a decade watching Robbie / Ennis / Luke battle Cam for the hooker title and although Robbie particularly had undeniable talent. His game was all focused around what he did put of dummy half. Whereas Smith built his game around getting the best players in the best positions with the best service.

 

[weststigers]

1, 9 and 14 are going to be interesting selections.

The choices are:
Liddle
Simpkin
Laurie
Mbye

Laurie and Liddle start in my opinion, but who misses out on the bench spot?

On the one hand, I’d choose Mbye at 14 for his versatility to cover 1, 3, 6, 7 and 9.

On the other hand, Simpkin is superior to Mbye at 9 and rotates well with Liddle, but offers no cover in the backline.

Really tough call after Rd 1.

 

[the_third]

we don't have a hooker situation, we have a 14 situation. lids or simpkins will be fine. 14 is a whole other problem as we are talking about.

Our problem is we need to cover a fullback/winger injury.

A pinch of (MAS) concrete and we can play two hookers. Maybe that's the new magic water bottle

 

[happy_tiger]

For me the best thing I saw with Liddle was his speed is back .....that is his biggest strength as a 9

 

[TigerWest]

1, 9 and 14 are going to be interesting selections.

The choices are:
Liddle
Simpkin
Laurie
Mbye

Laurie and Liddle start in my opinion, but who misses out on the bench spot?

On the one hand, I’d choose Mbye at 14 for his versatility to cover 1, 3, 6, 7 and 9.

On the other hand, Simpkin is superior to Mbye at 9 and rotates well with Liddle, but offers no cover in the backline.

Really tough call after Rd 1.

Didn't you like Mbye's game on Sunday?

Laurie had a good debut, but I think we need to wait to see Mbye have a crack, before sending him to the bench?