Reece Hoffman and Jake Simpkin impressing with Wests Tigers
They were both snubbed by the Brisbane Broncos but now this young, talented duo are helping a rival NRL club strive towards a finals spot this season.
Southeast
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THEY were plucked from the grasp of the Brisbane Broncos and now this young and talented duo could help a rival NRL club strive towards the finals this season.
Reece Hoffman and Jake Simpkin both honed their skills at Queensland Intrust Super Cup club, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, an affiliate club of Brisbane, with the pair part of the Seagulls Academy.
But despite receiving offers from several NRL clubs, Hoffman and Simpkin both chose to join Michael Maguire at the Wests Tigers, where they are signed until the end of the 2022 season.
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Hoffman, a bustling centre, was never offered a contract from the Broncos despite starring for the Queensland under-18s team last year and making his Intrust Super Cup debut during Wynnum Manly’s memorable preliminary final victory in Townsville last year.
He is now closing in on a debut after being named in the extended squad in recent weeks following injuries to key players and the suspension of Joey Leilua.
“Most people in Brisbane grow up wanting to play for the Broncos and I was a bit the same but then as I got older, towards the end of high school, they hadn’t really looked at me at all,” Hoffman said.
“I didn’t get selected in any of their sort of junior squads or anything like that.
“I was close to joining Souths (Sydney) when I had offers from clubs last year but then I came down here, watched the boys train, sat down with Mag (Maguire) and saw what his mentality was like and wanted to come here.”
Simpkin, a hard-nosed and physical dummy half, was with the Broncos for several years before being let go last year.
The 18-year-old Toowoomba product is expected to push for a utility spot on the bench at some stage this season although he is biding his time behind Tigers gun recruit Harry Grant.
“They’re both doing really well and are pushing every week to make their debut,” Wynnum Manly Seagulls Academy manager, Glen Dreger, said.
“Obviously Reece is really close, he could’ve made his debut this week but they chose to go with experience in Chris Lawrence ahead of a big game against Souths.
“Jake is a bit unlucky to be stuck behind Harry Grant, who is just killing it at the moment but I think he’s happy learning from someone like that while continuing to push his case.”
Hoffman said he was excited to be close to making his debut but was just frocused on continuing to work hard and learn during his rookie NRL season.
Dreger said the pair loved learning under the no-nonsense Maguire, along with other NRL stars and veterans like Benji Marshall.
He also said he would love to see both Simpkin and Hoffman return back home and play in Brisbane at some stage during their NRL careers.