Who’s Who in 22, Sport: Jeremiah Simbiken

For Jeremiah Simbiken, 2022 was a make-or-break year as he considered walking away from rugby league.

He made the most of an opportunity to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins, having a standout season which earnt him a Dolphins NRL contract.

COVID-19 disruptions to playing and changes to league competitions robbed him of the chance to play in 2020 and 21, and he seriously considered his future.

Simbiken’s manager lined up an opportunity to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup side in 2022, and he grabbed it with both hands.

The 22-year-old has been a ‘big match player’, impressing with 13 tries in 16 games, 10 line breaks and 433 tackles made. His work ethic has also caught the eye of his coaches and the recruitment team.

Simbiken has agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins which will see him hold development contract status for preseason which started in November.

The airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic was born in Papua New Guinea but moved to Canberra when he was 11 years of age.

He spent some time in the Canberra Raiders’ junior system but had limited opportunity with the NSW competition suspended because of COVID-19.

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said the club was pleased to give Simbiken the chance to prove himself at NRL level after a standout season in the Hostplus Cup.

He will now get the chance to learn from Super Coach Wayne Bennett and assistant coaches Kristian Woolf and Nathan Fine, and train alongside some of the best professionals in the game.

These include Felise Kaufusi, Tom Gilbert, Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Euan Aitken, Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima, Ray Stone and Sean O’Sullivan.

Simbiken is part of a squad of rising stars who will have the chance to develop their game through the Dolphins’ pathways program.

About Jeremiah Simbiken

Simbiken was born in Papua New Guinea but moved to Canberra when he was 11 years of age.

He was part of the Canberra Raiders’ junior system but has had limited opportunities to show what he can do on the footy field until he joined the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2022.

Simbiken was keen to give the Dolphins a shot because his older brother Jedidiah debuted for the club in 2019. He is now with the Central Queensland Capras.

The back rower has played 16 Hostplus Cup games, scoring 13 tries and making 10 line breaks and 433 tackles.