Jake Simpkin

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Jake Simpkin

|fullname = Jake Simpkin

|image = JAKE_SIMPKIN.jpg

|imagesize =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2001|10|16}}

|birth_place = Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

|height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|91|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

|position = {{rlp|HK}}

|club1 = Wests Tigers

|year1start = 2021

|year1end = 24

|appearances1 = 41

|tries1 = 4

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 16

|club2 = Manly Sea Eagles

|year2start = 2024

|year2end = present

|appearances2 = 19

|tries2 = 1

|goals2 = 0

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 4

|teamA = {{nowrap|Prime Minister's XIII}}

|yearAstart = 2022

|yearAend =

|appearancesA = 1

|triesA = 0

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 0

|retired =

|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jake-simpkin/summary.html Rugby League Project]

|updated = 5 June 2025

}}

Jake Simpkin (born 16 October 2001) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|hk}} for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Background

Simpkin was born in Toowoomba, Queensland and played his junior rugby league for Souths Tigers in the Toowoomba Rugby League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/nrl-jake-simpkin-becomes-latest-toowoomba-junior-to-make-first-grade/news-story/20e6768634fe0ebeef6f72974d87f802|title=Toowoomba junior selected to make first grade debut|date=13 April 2021|website=The Chronicle}} He attended St Mary's College, Toowoomba before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/toowoombas-simpkin-moves-closer-to-nrl-dream/3750989/|title=Toowoomba's Simpkin moves closer to NRL dream|date=12 June 2019|website=The Morning Bulletin|access-date=18 April 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418005830/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/toowoombas-simpkin-moves-closer-to-nrl-dream/3750989/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-rookies-jake-simpkin-wests-tigers/iod1b2mjrtbd12glop4qdndf9|title=Jake Simpkin is the breakout Tigers hooker looking to emulate Harry Grant's rise|date=15 April 2021|website=Sporting News}} In 2018, while playing for St Mary's, he was named Player of the Carnival at the 2018 Confraternity Carnival.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/confraternity-carnival-what-you-need-to-know/3764407/|title=Confraternity Carnival: What you need to know|date=27 June 2019|website=The Daily Mercury}}

Playing career

=Early career=

In 2017, Simpkin represented Queensland under-16 in their 22–16 loss to New South Wales under-16.{{Cite web|url=https://18thman.com/representative/under-16s-origin/2017-2/|title=Under-16 Origin 2017|website=18th Man}} In 2018, he played for the Western Mustangs in the Mal Meninga Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/mustangs-produce-a-miracle-comeback/3388700/|title=Mustangs produce miracle comeback|date=16 April 2018|website=Northern Star}} In 2019, Simpkin joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls playing for their Mal Meninga Cup and Hastings Deering Colts sides.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2019/10/03/auswide-bank-mal-meninga-cup-player-of-the-year-full-tally/|title=Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup player of the year: full tally|date=3 October 2019|website=QRL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/02/17/simpkin-thriving-in-top-squad-after-development-year/|title=Simpkin thriving in top squad after Development year|date=17 February 2021|website=Wests Tigers}} In June 2019, he represented Queensland under-18, scoring a try in their win over New South Wales under-18.{{Cite web|url=https://18thman.com/representative/under-18s-origin/2019-2/|title=Under-18 Origin 2019|website=18th Man}} On 21 August 2019, Simpkin signed with the Wests Tigers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2019/08/21/wests-tigers-sign-young-queensland-duo/|title=Wests Tigers sign young Queensland duo|date=21 August 2019|website=Wests Tigers}}

=2021=

Simpkin began the 2021 season playing for Western Suburbs in the New South Wales Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/03/21/magpies-fall-to-bears-in-wet-and-gritty-clash/|title=Magpies fall to Bears in wet and gritty clash|date=21 March 2021|website=Wests Tigers}}

In Round 6, he made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers, starting at {{rlp|hk}} in their 18-14 loss to South Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/04/13/nrl-round-6-squad-announcements/ |title=Round 6 NRL team lists |publisher=NRL.com |date=13 April 2021}}

=2022=

Simpkin played a total of nine games for the Wests Tigers in the 2022 NRL season as the club claimed the Wooden Spoon for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-04/nrl-knights-sharks-tigers-raiders/101402294/|title=Canberra Raiders hand out 56-10 NRL drubbing to Wests Tigers as Cronulla beats Newcastle Knights 38-16|website=www.abc.net.au}}

=2023=

Simpkin played a total of 19 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished with the wooden spoon for a second straight year.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-wests-tigers-season-in-review-tigers-brutal-review-tim-sheens-benji-marshall-coach-justin-pascoe-wooden-spoon/news-story/d1ae7fb41d93ea7dc29173a824cac5a1/|title=‘Circus act’ that summed up year from hell... and big call left for Benji: Wests Tigers Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}

= 2024 =

Simpkin joined the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles mid-season until the end of the 2026 season.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-03 |title=2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Sea Eagles land Simpkin |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/01/01/2024-nrl-signings-tracker-latest-signings-news-contracts-and-details/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=National Rugby League |language=en}}

Simpkin played six games for Manly in the 2024 NRL season as they finished 7th on the table and qualified for the finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-season-review-manly-sea-eagles-luke-brooks-daly-cherry-evans-exclusive-analysis-20240922-p5kclo.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Luke Brooks 'revels' at Manly Sea Eagles but 30 seconds of horror luck ends season|website=www.nine.com.au}}