Issac Luke seems finished at Warriors, approves of Wests Tigers suggestion

[Newtown]

Issac Luke seems finished at Warriors, approves of Wests Tigers suggestion
By The Mole
an hour ago

A Tigers fan put up a post on twitter over the weekend expressing his concern over the hooking spot, with Robbie Farah retiring and Jacob Liddle set to miss the start of the season after suffering a serious knee injury this round.

The fan - with a screen handle of @CastTiger - speculated: "Wonder if (Michael) Maguire would look at Issac Luke for a year?"

Luke soon replied from his official account: "I would come in a heart beat."

The Warriors have three players who can play hooker - Karl Lawton, Jazz Tevaga and Nathaniel Roache - on long-term deals and are believed to be happy to cut the 32-year-old Luke loose.

Maguire may well consider signing Luke to give him an experienced hooker for the start of 2020.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Absolute no brainer this one.

 

[851]

Absolute no brainer this one.

I agree, but we as a club are generally no brainers, so it probably wont happen

 

[mike]

At 32. I have my doubts. If we do then please only 1 year max.

 

[WT2K]

2 year deal with the second being a club option

 

[rex2ce]

@WT2K you would expect him to want two years with moving his family across.

 

[mike]

2 year deal with the second being a club option

I could deal with that.

 

[WT2K]

@WT2K you would expect him to want two years with moving his family across.

Most probably. Just a suggestion. Since we don't have a great record with older players coming here..

 

[guyofthetiger]

He is injured a lot

How far off is Simpkins?

2021 at the earliest perhaps?

 

[momo_amp_medo]

@GNR4LIFE Agree 100%

 

[Russell]

Rather not have him - but if we do then max 1 year for mine.

Could be a disaster at his age.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Rather not have him - but if we do then max 1 year for mine.

Could be a disaster at his age.

Who do you think would be a better hooker to sign Russ? There’s not a lot of options out there.

 

[guyofthetiger]

He fits the model of our dud purchases in every way:

Old ✅
Can’t win you a game in the last 10mins ✅
Ill disciplined ✅
Injury prone ✅
Likely to end up in reserve grade on an NRL salary ✅
A good guy to have around the dressing room ✅
Inconsistent ✅

Please, no more...

 

[ElleryHanley]

He fits the model of our dud purchases in every way:

Old ✅
Can’t win you a game in the last 10mins ✅
Ill disciplined ✅
Injury prone ✅
Likely to end up in reserve grade on an NRL salary ✅
A good guy to have around the dressing room ✅
Inconsistent ✅

Please, no more...

He can kick goals though..................so he breaks the model 😉

 

[Russell]

Rather not have him - but if we do then max 1 year for mine.

Could be a disaster at his age.


Who do you think would be a better hooker to sign Russ? There’s not a lot of options out there.

I agree Avo, however there are only 7 off contract after Segeyaro signed with the Donkeys - Kurt Baptiste, Billy Brittain, Sione Katoa, Michael Lichaa, Issac Luke, Matt McIlwrick and Zac Woolford.

With Liddle out for at least half of next season I think we need someone with NRL experience at DH - this counts out Brittain and Woolford and dodgy knees rule out McIlwrick,

That leaves Luke (who I ruled out), Katoa, Lichaa and Baptiste.

If I had to choose - on a one year deal only (I might add) I would go with Baptiste.

 

[hsvjones]

@guyofthetiger Have you meet Liddle ? He plays more than Liddle does and will want to prove something.. Yes for me as not a lot of money

 

[Newtown]

To those saying that Luke is too old, think how old Farah is. Luke would be be an experienced international hooker and would also be the best goal kicker Wests Tigers have had for a long time.

 

[Russell]

To those saying that Luke is too old, think how old Farah is. Luke would be be an experienced international hooker and would also be the best goal kicker Wests Tigers have had for a long time.

We don't need another Gerry imo - whether he kicks or not.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Rather not have him - but if we do then max 1 year for mine.

Could be a disaster at his age.


Who do you think would be a better hooker to sign Russ? There’s not a lot of options out there.

I agree Avo, however there are only 7 off contract after Segeyaro signed with the Donkeys - Kurt Baptiste, Billy Brittain, Sione Katoa, Michael Lichaa, Issac Luke, Matt McIlwrick and Zac Woolford.

With Liddle out for at least half of next season I think we need someone with NRL experience at DH - this counts out Brittain and Woolford and dodgy knees rule out McIlwrick,

That leaves Luke (who I ruled out), Katoa, Lichaa and Baptiste.

If I had to choose - on a one year deal only (I might add) I would go with Baptiste.

Based on those options I think Luke is a no brainer at the right price. 2 years and then hopefully Simpkin will be ready to take over.

 

[avocadoontoast]

To those saying that Luke is too old, think how old Farah is. Luke would be be an experienced international hooker and would also be the best goal kicker Wests Tigers have had for a long time.

We don't need another Gerry imo - whether he kicks or not.

Bringing Farah back worked out ok. If we didn’t we would have had Taylor there.