Tigers exodus continues as Seibold secures Simpkin

Young Wests Tigers hooker Jake Simpkin will join Manly for the rest of the 2024 season.

Since his debut in 2021 as a 19-year-old, Simpkin has made 41 NRL appearances for the Tigers as a utility hooker, and has scored four tries.

In a brief statement on Monday, Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said the 22-year-old would add depth to the squad.

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“We are very pleased to welcome Jake to Manly. He is a quality player who has already gained plenty of experience in the NRL for a young man,” he said.

“Jake adds some depth in the hooking role and we feel this is a very good addition to our playing group.”

Simpkin had already signed with the Sea Eagles for 2025 and 2026, but will make the move immediately.

The Sea Eagles already have plenty of depth at dummy half, with Lachlan Croker, Karl Lawton, Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jamie Humphreys at the club.

Releasing Simpkin will free up salary cap space for the Tigers, who have made a $4m play to keep Stefano Utoikamanu at the club.

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New Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson is also attempting to offload players to rival NRL clubs, or even to the Super League.

Isaiah Papali’i has recently signed for the Panthers despite being contracted for 2025, while Richardson has been to England in a bid to sell Jayden Sullivan and Brent Naden.

Simpkin came through the Brisbane Broncos Academy, and played for the Queensland U18s. He made his representative debut in 2022 playing for the Prime Minister’s XIII.