In their quest for additional dummy-half coverage, the Sea Eagles have signed Wests Tigers hooker Jake Simpkin to a two-and-a-half-year contract with Manly.
Simpkin, who is the most recent player to depart the Tigers before their contract expires, will come at Manly right away.
The arrival of the hooker coincides with regular Manly dummy-half Lachlan Croker’s ongoing fight with an inner-ear problem following a concussion.
Croker had a concussion against Canberra one month ago; he hasn’t played for Manly since. It’s unclear when he will be back.
Karl Lawton has been stepping in for Croker at number nine, but he plans to depart Brookvale for North Queensland at the conclusion of the season.
