Tukimihia Simpkins signs, Kane Bradley released

[Speed2burn]

Big kid. Hope he fills the hype.

**We seem to be building a BIG pack at the same time that the NRL rule changes seem to favour smaller guys?**

It'll be handy for the team in terms of field position and PCM, given their endurance/stamina are up to NRL level ofcourse.
Any ideas who our strength and conditioning coach is?

I think we have more than one, but Andrew Gray is one of them

Wonder what Ronnie Palmer is doing now? Is he still at the club do you know?

Yeah Palmer is still at the club, have seen him in a couple training photos

 

[cochise]

Ronnie is still there and got what I think would be a promotion.

He is in a pathways role for 2021, in a similar role to what Hodgo was going to do. Basically working with players and trainers in the pathway systems so we have players coming thru ready to join our systems, already knowing how to train and eat etc as a professional footballer.

 

[Roar_Power]

This is a really good pickup. We are strengthening the top 30, no doubt! I know a lot of these signings are based on promise and looking to the future but I think they will pay dividends for WT for years to come...

 

[walter]

I like how a lot of people on here are saying this kids a great player heaps of talent no one seen him play he didn’t play last year the season was called off and 2 yrs ago would of made him 17 unless there’s highlights going round

 

[Fade.To.Black]

I like how a lot of people on here are saying this kids a great player heaps of talent no one seen him play he didn’t play last year the season was called off and 2 yrs ago would of made him 17 unless there’s highlights going round

It's being optimistic. Not a bad thing to have, we've had enough of the other option. He might turn out great, he might not.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

This is a really good pickup. We are strengthening the top 30, no doubt! I know a lot of these signings are based on promise and looking to the future but I think they will pay dividends for WT for years to come...

Hope it pays dividends. The big problem is once a few of these players show talent the Roosters waltz in with their "outside inducements, under the table payments" etc and stockpile these kids for themselves. More should be done by the NRL to prevent that IMO.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

I havnt heard of him, has he played much first grade?

Hartigan is really going chips in on guys who impressed at school boy level isn’t he.

What do you want him to do ? Sign B plus to C average guys , and continue treading water like we have for 10 years ? Which is exactly what we’ve been doing . And I dont want to hear we only ever sign plodders , because if that were true , we’d come last every year . We sign average players who give average performance for an average result in 9th.
We need guys who could be superstars , and many have signed with us now .
This Simpkins has been on the youth radar for a very long time . The fact NQ lost him is a huge blow . From what I’d read last year he was considered to be the one they were going to build thier pack around for the future . Looks like that will be us now .
This is the recruitment advantage we have . Not in established first graders , but kids who want to become the next big thing . Especially forwards .

Even as far back as Souths , people forget Sutton was a below average number 6 before Madge got there. Most forwards went up a gear underneath him . And at the tigers it’s been no exception . People see that , if the results on the field haven’t matched some individual personal improvements.

I am a fan of this strategy over the previous one - signing former rep players past their prime - but fear it won’t work unless we add in some quality NRL players to bring them along. I really hope we nail these last 3 spots in the squad. We have money and cap space, I see no excuses now.

This kid is a big one . We and many other teams have chased him for a year or 2 . I’m actually surprised we got him. This is a Melbourne storm type signing , not to throw hyperbole out there .

 

[innsaneink]

I havnt heard of him, has he played much first grade?

Hartigan is really going chips in on guys who impressed at school boy level isn’t he.

What do you want him to do ? Sign B plus to C average guys , and continue treading water like we have for 10 years ? Which is exactly what we’ve been doing . And I dont want to hear we only ever sign plodders , because if that were true , we’d come last every year . We sign average players who give average performance for an average result in 9th.
We need guys who could be superstars , and many have signed with us now .
This Simpkins has been on the youth radar for a very long time . The fact NQ lost him is a huge blow . From what I’d read last year he was considered to be the one they were going to build thier pack around for the future . Looks like that will be us now .
This is the recruitment advantage we have . Not in established first graders , but kids who want to become the next big thing . Especially forwards .

Even as far back as Souths , people forget Sutton was a below average number 6 before Madge got there. Most forwards went up a gear underneath him . And at the tigers it’s been no exception . People see that , if the results on the field haven’t matched some individual personal improvements.

I am a fan of this strategy over the previous one - signing former rep players past their prime - but fear it won’t work unless we add in some quality NRL players to bring them along. I really hope we nail these last 3 spots in the squad. We have money and cap space, I see no excuses now.

This kid is a big one . We and many other teams have chased him for a year or 2 . I’m actually surprised we got him. This is a Melbourne storm type signing , not to throw hyperbole out there .

Strange were only hearing about him now... Thought we would've been hearing about him for the last year or two

 

[Bones]

I havnt heard of him, has he played much first grade?

Hartigan is really going chips in on guys who impressed at school boy level isn’t he.

What do you want him to do ? Sign B plus to C average guys , and continue treading water like we have for 10 years ? Which is exactly what we’ve been doing . And I dont want to hear we only ever sign plodders , because if that were true , we’d come last every year . We sign average players who give average performance for an average result in 9th.
We need guys who could be superstars , and many have signed with us now .
This Simpkins has been on the youth radar for a very long time . The fact NQ lost him is a huge blow . From what I’d read last year he was considered to be the one they were going to build thier pack around for the future . Looks like that will be us now .
This is the recruitment advantage we have . Not in established first graders , but kids who want to become the next big thing . Especially forwards .

Even as far back as Souths , people forget Sutton was a below average number 6 before Madge got there. Most forwards went up a gear underneath him . And at the tigers it’s been no exception . People see that , if the results on the field haven’t matched some individual personal improvements.

I am a fan of this strategy over the previous one - signing former rep players past their prime - but fear it won’t work unless we add in some quality NRL players to bring them along. I really hope we nail these last 3 spots in the squad. We have money and cap space, I see no excuses now.

This kid is a big one . We and many other teams have chased him for a year or 2 . I’m actually surprised we got him. This is a Melbourne storm type signing , not to throw hyperbole out there .

Strange were only hearing about him now... Thought we would've been hearing about him for the last year or two

To be fair unless you played NRL there hasn’t been any football to really impress, but I’ve lost count of the supposed gun juniors we’ve had who have never made the grade. Let see how he and the rest of the young guns go, they certainly have some big wraps.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Forummers please have some faith in our Madge do you think he would sign a nuffie unless he had prior knowlege of Simpkins ability he's team building with new recruits and the shedding of others has been breathtaking and there's more to come

 

[Deleted member 3518]

I havnt heard of him, has he played much first grade?

Hartigan is really going chips in on guys who impressed at school boy level isn’t he.

What do you want him to do ? Sign B plus to C average guys , and continue treading water like we have for 10 years ? Which is exactly what we’ve been doing . And I dont want to hear we only ever sign plodders , because if that were true , we’d come last every year . We sign average players who give average performance for an average result in 9th.
We need guys who could be superstars , and many have signed with us now .
This Simpkins has been on the youth radar for a very long time . The fact NQ lost him is a huge blow . From what I’d read last year he was considered to be the one they were going to build thier pack around for the future . Looks like that will be us now .
This is the recruitment advantage we have . Not in established first graders , but kids who want to become the next big thing . Especially forwards .

Even as far back as Souths , people forget Sutton was a below average number 6 before Madge got there. Most forwards went up a gear underneath him . And at the tigers it’s been no exception . People see that , if the results on the field haven’t matched some individual personal improvements.

I am a fan of this strategy over the previous one - signing former rep players past their prime - but fear it won’t work unless we add in some quality NRL players to bring them along. I really hope we nail these last 3 spots in the squad. We have money and cap space, I see no excuses now.

This kid is a big one . We and many other teams have chased him for a year or 2 . I’m actually surprised we got him. This is a Melbourne storm type signing , not to throw hyperbole out there .

Strange were only hearing about him now... Thought we would've been hearing about him for the last year or two

He came up on here heaps last year , and maybe the year before .

 

[bathursttiger1]

I havnt heard of him, has he played much first grade?

Hartigan is really going chips in on guys who impressed at school boy level isn’t he.

What do you want him to do ? Sign B plus to C average guys , and continue treading water like we have for 10 years ? Which is exactly what we’ve been doing . And I dont want to hear we only ever sign plodders , because if that were true , we’d come last every year . We sign average players who give average performance for an average result in 9th.
We need guys who could be superstars , and many have signed with us now .
This Simpkins has been on the youth radar for a very long time . The fact NQ lost him is a huge blow . From what I’d read last year he was considered to be the one they were going to build thier pack around for the future . Looks like that will be us now .
This is the recruitment advantage we have . Not in established first graders , but kids who want to become the next big thing . Especially forwards .

Even as far back as Souths , people forget Sutton was a below average number 6 before Madge got there. Most forwards went up a gear underneath him . And at the tigers it’s been no exception . People see that , if the results on the field haven’t matched some individual personal improvements.

I am a fan of this strategy over the previous one - signing former rep players past their prime - but fear it won’t work unless we add in some quality NRL players to bring them along. I really hope we nail these last 3 spots in the squad. We have money and cap space, I see no excuses now.

This kid is a big one . We and many other teams have chased him for a year or 2 . I’m actually surprised we got him. This is a Melbourne storm type signing , not to throw hyperbole out there .

Strange were only hearing about him now... Thought we would've been hearing about him for the last year or two

There were rumours about Simpkins on here in 2019, I remember looking at his profile on the Cowboys website.

 

[Roar_Power]

Forummers please have some faith in our Madge do you think he would sign a nuffie unless he had prior knowlege of Simpkins ability he's team building with new recruits and the shedding of others has been breathtaking and there's more to come

Man, I am just pleased there is a strategy in place. Time and effort has gone into this. Its not a short term strategy....for once there is an eye on the future of WT as opposed to 'stop gap' and desperation signings.

The key is the fact these new player contracts are 2-3 years (no more) - generally club options, there is finally competition for positions and we are trying to either recruit proven winners or youth who have the character to endorse Madge's style of coaching.

 

[BAGNF05]

Forummers please have some faith in our Madge do you think he would sign a nuffie unless he had prior knowlege of Simpkins ability he's team building with new recruits and the shedding of others has been breathtaking and there's more to come

Total faith in Madge, it’s the clubs ability to attract premium players is still the issue.

 

[Guest]

I'm not against the signing but I wouldn't be so quick to be happy we lost Kane Bradley. A 6' 5" winger who was just learning his trade after switching from the forwards had me hopeful of him progressing this year. I watched him play for the Magpies and the kid has the potential to end up being a big loss.

 

[cochise]

Forummers please have some faith in our Madge do you think he would sign a nuffie unless he had prior knowlege of Simpkins ability he's team building with new recruits and the shedding of others has been breathtaking and there's more to come

Total faith in Madge, it’s the clubs ability to attract premium players is still the issue.

We need to start winning for that to turn around.

 

[Cairnstigers]

This kid will struggle to go 7 mins in the NRL at this stage of his development.
I don't expect to see him for 3 yrs

I think you’ll be surprised. Will definitely play first grade this year.

How much money have you got to lose?

If he doesn't play a game this year, my profile image for next season will be a shirtless mitch moses

Are you going to take that picture straight off your bedroom wall, or use the one hanging up on the back of you bathroom door

 

[BAGNF05]

Big kid. Hope he fills the hype.

**We seem to be building a BIG pack at the same time that the NRL rule changes seem to favour smaller guys?**

It'll be handy for the team in terms of field position and PCM, given their endurance/stamina are up to NRL level ofcourse.
Any ideas who our strength and conditioning coach is?

I think we have more than one, but Andrew Gray is one of them

Thanks @Speed2burn.

Believe the another one is named in the James Roberts thread and pictured with him below.

.

Cheers @formerguest. Really liking the look of Jimmy the Jet too.

Jet looking happy and lean. Hoping he proves me very wrong

 

[TheDaBoss]

This kid will struggle to go 7 mins in the NRL at this stage of his development.
I don't expect to see him for 3 yrs

I think you’ll be surprised. Will definitely play first grade this year.

How much money have you got to lose?

If he doesn't play a game this year, my profile image for next season will be a shirtless mitch moses

Are you going to take that picture straight off your bedroom wall, or use the one hanging up on the back of you bathroom door

The t-shirt and sock pair i got given by happy

 

[Spartan117]

NRL PREMIERSHIP
January 5, 2021 4:51pm
Source: FOX SPORTS



The Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys have completed a swap deal with Tukimihia Simpkins joining Michael Maguire’s side and Kane Bradley heading in the opposite direction.

Simpkins, a 19-year-old 192cm Kiwi forward, joins the Tigers on a three-year deal.

Bradley, meanwhile, is a rising 196cm 20-year-old winger who has joined Todd Payten’s squad on a two-year contract.



“We’d like to thank Tuki for his contribution to our club during his time here,” Cowboys head of football Micheal Luck said.

“His attitude during a difficult year in 2020 where he and a number of our younger players weren’t able to play any football was first class.

“Tuki had an opportunity to take up a long-term deal with another club and we wish him all the best.

“We’re really excited to secure a player of Kane’s potential.

“Kane is a big body with speed and has been a noted try scorer in the lower grades.

“He adds significant depth to a position we believed we were a little undermanned and all reports we received about his work ethic, attitude and character were glowing.”