I wonder what has happened with Tuki Simpkins.
He looked like he was raw but in the club's plan for the future. Considering the back row situation, he must have dropped off big time.
Anyone heard anything?
I reckon Sheens isn’t a fan
It seems as though Tuki has fallen out of favour since Sheens/ McDonnell came back to the club.
It really defies logic IMO. The guy has talent. He's shown it at NRL level. Twice as likely to offload compared to a Twal or a Seyfarth and makes more metres per carry than both players.
The magpies have been getting lapped every week and I havent see any of their matches but cant imagine that Tuki is the sole reason for their demise? Maybe others who have attended reggies can report more on this?
I haven't seen him since the trials but he seemed very underdone in those matches.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I wonder what has happened with Tuki Simpkins.
He looked like he was raw but in the club's plan for the future. Considering the back row situation, he must have dropped off big time.
Anyone heard anything?
I reckon Sheens isn’t a fan
It seems as though Tuki has fallen out of favour since Sheens/ McDonnell came back to the club.
It really defies logic IMO. The guy has talent. He's shown it at NRL level. Twice as likely to offload compared to a Twal or a Seyfarth and makes more metres per carry than both players.
The magpies have been getting lapped every week and I havent see any of their matches but cant imagine that Tuki is the sole reason for their demise? Maybe others who have attended reggies can report more on this?
State Cup is an extremely young side.. (youngest average age in the comp )... It has been mostly made up from the 2021 Flegg side moving up and those including Simpkins who are still eligible to play Flegg this year (all under 21) .. exposing them to open age footy has it's merits but it's usually done with a mix of experienced older hard nuts..not all at once... injuries to the top squad has hampered this..
Getting pumped every week could go either way .. hopefully those with the potential can make it further..
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
But ..But ..But ...Gildart was going to be the next Reg Gasnier after the Warriors game
We signed Gildart
Here are some proven NRL players currently playing in the ESL
Some aren't good ..but are proven at this level for multiple seasons
Leutele
Hopoate
Hurrell
French
Whare
Coote
Takairangi
SKD
Linnett
P Matuatia
Widdop
Mamo
Faraimo
Fonua
Cheyse Blair
Feki
Fusitua
Sio
Lafai
Peyroux
Some are long in the tooth
Some weren't great to start with
I reckon there is at least 6 on that list you take over Gildart ..even if it was for 1 year til we found someone better or someone stepped up or Talau / AD / AJ is fit
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Gildart or Roberts?
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Gildart or Roberts?
Gildart. I don't think Roberts has been too bad.
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Gildart or Roberts?
Gildart. I don't think Roberts has been too bad.
Signed in May 2021 so Hartigan was still here...both he and Hastings were signed on the recommendation of Tim Sheens who was coaching Hastings in the Combined Nations at the time..
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Gildart or Roberts?
Gildart. I don't think Roberts has been too bad.
Signed in May 2021 so Hartigan was still here...both he and Hastings were signed on the recommendation of Tim Sheens who was coaching Hastings in the Combined Nations at the time..
Didn't Sheens join us in June?
It's fair to say that we need to find an outside back from somewhere in the next fortnight.
It's pretty embarrassing to think that Madge still wanted to take a risk on James Roberts last summer knowing full well that Doueihi and Talau were going to sit out the majority of the season.
A rag tag mix of outside backs cost us the win last Sunday. Ironic that Garner was probably the best performing but realistically the least likely to be at the club in 2023! What is going on?
Strongly disagree with this part. Its not embarrassing at all, in fact its good sound planning. Knowing that Doueihi and Talau were going to miss the majority of the season, it makes a lot of sense to have depth, particularly in the centres. The club needs a 30 player squad and a few of these players need to be on close to minimum wage for the roster to work. Roberts is on close to minimum, so one of our minimum wage roster spots is taken up by a player who has played origin and proven experience in NRL with possible upside of blistering pace. He has proven himself to be able to do a job in first grade this year.
Let me be clear, Im not saying Roberts is a great player these days or should even be first picked at centre but he is VERY good depth in that spot and has proven he is capable of doing a job and is probably one of the lowest paid in the 30. Thats not to say that the club shouldnt have purchased a better centre option but I'd rather have Roberts on minimum than a Hoffman or Cini.
For mine, Gildart has proven to be the embarrassing purchase and personally I'd have Roberts (particularly on his low wage) picked before Gildart.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Gildart or Roberts?
Gildart. I don't think Roberts has been too bad.
Signed in May 2021 so Hartigan was still here...both he and Hastings were signed on the recommendation of Tim Sheens who was coaching Hastings in the Combined Nations at the time..
Didn't Sheens join us in June?
Officially.. as I said Hartigan was the Football manager at the time of the signings..Sheens being in the UK his opinion/recommendation on both players was sought..
@geo-2 Whoever was responsible it was a shocker of a signing. But Hastings more than makes up for it.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Give him time. Unfortunately, due to injuries, that is going to be in the NRL. His main problem is positioning and not relying on his inside man to do their job. This can be learnt. He can tackle and is elusive in attach and makes good post contact meters despite his size. He is worth persevering with IMO.
Worst outside back in the comp. Anyone know if it was a Madge or Hartigan signing?
Give him time. Unfortunately, due to injuries, that is going to be in the NRL. His main problem is positioning and not relying on his inside man to do their job. This can be learnt. He can tackle and is elusive in attach and makes good post contact meters despite his size. He is worth persevering with IMO.
Sorry Mike ...but he has played 40 good minutes in 8 rds ...if that was anyone else we'd all be up in arms ....can you imagine everyone's reaction if it was Brooks , Liddle , Tamou .....
