@dugwt said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1496242) said:
The Hodgson vs Api situation is very interesting. I am not saying this will happen I actually think it will fall through (knowing the tigers). But looking in as a fan Hodgson is definitely the better option long term if we can get rid of Liddle. Simpkin is a class hooker and has proved this in KOE and first grade. Our problem is and has been for a while is an 80 minute hooker. For me wasting a bench spot on a hooker or utility is silly especially for a team like the tigers. It needs to be 4 big men. I think Simpkin does need to be phased into 80 minutes but Hodgson is perfect for the whole team.
Hodgson is a leader and has the British connection with Hastings, Gildart and Sheens. Which you would think would tempt him to come. Only flaw for me is that he is injury prone but that is easily fixed. IE: Hastings, Simpkin and I would like to see Dockar-clay in the top 30.
In conclusion, in the long run and for the team you would think Hodgson is the wiser choice. With Simpkin at 14 to add attacking flare. But we will see how the meat head of Pascoe sorts this us.
As it stands, Liddle is streets ahead of Simpkin…
How anyone sees it does different is beyond me.
Simpkin may have more upside in the long run, I’ll think you might find Liddle does as well.
If Liddle and Madge don’t work - that may be a separate issue…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liddle end up at the chooks… he has time with the ball, he’s a bit underdone - and has some work to do… but you can’t buy time…
Liddle is a Hooker who can't pass accurately and has no kicking game. He's pretty limited and one dimensional. What's worse for him is he lacks the cardiovascular capacity to play a full game
Fantastic Insight... Thanks for that.
Well, Simpkin pales in comparison as an NRL player at this point - so I'd hate to see you express your thoughts on him.
He's a kid that's played a little footy with a tonne of potential, But so Is Liddle...
The people writing Liddle off (After his first full year in Grade - coming off a few years of injurys) Are probably the same people that defended Players like Lawrence for the Majority of his career.
Yes he gets gassed, The game has sped up a tonne in the last 18-24 months and he hasn't played much footy at all...
No, I'm not his mum - But there's a Footballer there... A bloody good one.
He has time with the ball and has broken at least a couple games for us in the last little while... By my reckoning, He'd have had 1 Pre-season in the last 3 years or more. If a young, 100kg Tommy Talau doesn't clumsily throw himself at a tackle he had no chance of effecting, It might be a whole different story.
If Hodgson comes - A Hodgson / Liddle rotation at 9/13 would be Killer....
Simpkin can fill in when one is out or as required. He's young, And signed until 2024, He has plenty of time to get ready for the demands of the NRL,
As it stands - He's no where near ready OR (in reality) anywhere near as good as Liddle..