Jacob Liddle #198

[foreveratiger]

Jacob Liddle a star in waiting

Tue 01 Mar, 2016, 6:13pm
By Martin Gabor‌, National Correspondent, NRL.com
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Jacob Liddle a star in waiting
Manaia Cherrington will start for the Wests Tigers, but there is a youngster pushing his case in the background. Credit: Grant Trouville. Copyright: NRL Photos.
Wests Tigers Holden Cup graduate Jacob Liddle is yet to establish himself as a household name, but he's already earned glowing endorsements from his senior teammates throughout the pre-season.

While Liddle missed out on NRL selection for Round 1, with Manaia Cherrington named in the No.9 jersey in place of injured senior players Robbie Farah and Matt Ballin, there is a belief the youngster will get his chance sooner than later.

One man who knows Liddle better than most is his under-20s coach from last season, Brett Kimmorley. The 307 NRL game veteran likes what he sees, and is confident his former pupil will be a future star of the game.

"He's an outstanding kid," Kimmorley said.

"He's a kid from the Central Coast and played one year of 20s. He's a great runner of the football. He's a big kid for a hooker and quite athletic. There were times when you thought he could ease his way through 80 minutes, but because of his physical wellbeing, we decided to look after him [and give him a rest]."

Liddle played 23 games for the Tigers in the Holden Cup last year, scoring eight tries and making 755 tackles in an all-round display that saw him earn the player's player award.

Having played Australian Schoolboys in 2014, the 19-year-old is fast becoming one of the premier number nines coming through the NYC system.

While he impressed with his speed and vision out of dummy-half, his former coach didn't want to see him rushed into the NRL before he was ready.

"Mentally he's ready, but it's the physicality of it all that you have to be careful of," Kimmorley said.

"He'll play first-grade, I can tell you that. He'll have a career in the game. He's a talented footy player, but whether he's ready or not, I'm not quite sure.

"He's trained hard over the summer. I think he played for the NSW Cup side in the trial against Newtown. Sometimes you'd hate to see young guys thrown into the deep end too soon."

Liddle will take on Manly in the Intrust Super Premiership this weekend.

http://www.nrl.com/jacob-liddle-a-star-in-waiting/tabid/10874/newsid/93329/default.aspx

 

[Demps]

I like the kid also.
He looks similiar playing wise to Robbie Farah imo.

 

[foreveratiger]

We could have a hooking dilemma in the next couple of years between Cherrington and Liddle .

Cherrington a junior kiwi and Liddle an Australian schoolboy . I hope we don't get into a problem like when we lost Te Marie Martin and are able to fit them both in our 13 in years to come…...maybe moving one of them to Lock ? but would be less effective though .

We are in great shape In terms of building a side and a spine for years to come.

 

[Demps]

A bunch of our under 20s players are from the central coast, i think.

Tim Moltzen was from the coast too, so is Jesse Parahi.

Maybe we should make it our second home?

 

[foreveratiger]

I like the kid also.
He looks similiar playing wise to Robbie Farah imo.

The kid is only 19 Demps 😱pen_mouth:

I've only seen 1 game of his last year if i'm being honest .

 

[tsjonathan]

I think he's good but not that good.

Mania has shown more and I like the look of Peck from what I have seen

 

[foreveratiger]

I think he's good but not that good.

Mania has shown more and I like the look of Peck from what I have seen

I remember Sheenious always said at least 50 1st Grade games before your a 1st grader…..Liddle hasn't even played 1 1st Grade game and his only 19 years old and got players player last year , so there must be something there for Kimmorley to say he will have a Career in 1st Grade.

 

[Goose]

I like Liddell, but I also think Cherrington is the better of the 2.

Interestingly I though Jack Wheelhouse was better than Liddell going into the All schools carnival last year, and he was my pick for the Aus schoolboys hooker (and many others pick as well). He was injured and missed the tournament.

Looks like we are a production line for hookers at the moment.

Back to Wheelhouse, little sliding doors moment, I wonder if he went to the tournament, he may have been picked even at the expense of Liddle, would they be in the reverse spots now?

Not necessarily, but an interesting thought on how fickle the progress to first grade is.

 

[jirskyr]

Back to Wheelhouse, little sliding doors moment, I wonder if he went to the tournament, he may have been picked even at the expense of Liddle, would they be in the reverse spots now?

Did Wheelhouse get a sexy new haircut in the alternate reality? :laughing:

 

[doublesonthemain]

Jacob actually reminds me more of Cam Smith, certainly in build if not much else. I've seen him play about a half dozen games and he looks good. Can anyone think of any 19 or 20 year old number 9s in the last 10 years who have played NRL? No doubt there would be a few that filled in at times but can't recall any off the top of my head. Like any position, but especially halves and hooker, players don't tend to be at their best until early to mid 20s, actually Smith, Thurston, Lockyer etc probably were at their best in their late 20s or even early 30s. It makes you wonder just how good some of our younger guys might be in a few more years.

 

[balmain boy]

WHeelhouse hasn't stood out though when he has played in NYC. Liddle has made a big impact with his running game.

As i said in another thread, Liddle needs to develop his game to more than just being very good at running the ball. His delivery and passing game in general, and a bit of a kicking game from dummy half, could all do with serious improvement. Reminds of Stu Flanagan.

Cherry is a far more well rounded player, and was at a similar age in NYC too.

In a months time Liddle'll be back in NYC where we'll have 3-4 very decent young hookers fighting for a spot.

 

[doublesonthemain]

Jacob actually reminds me more of Cam Smith, certainly in build if not much else. I've seen him play about a half dozen games and he looks good. Can anyone think of any 19 or 20 year old number 9s in the last 10 years who have played NRL? No doubt there would be a few that filled in at times but can't recall any off the top of my head. Like any position, but especially halves and hooker, players don't tend to be at their best until early to mid 20s, actually Smith, Thurston, Lockyer etc probably were at their best in their late 20s or even early 30s. It makes you wonder just how good some of our younger guys might be in a few more years.

Just saw that Jake Friend was 19 in his first full year, after a couple of runs the previous year. Cam Smith was 20, Robbie Farah 21, Isaac Luke 21 after a few runs the previous season, and Matt Ballin 23\. But as you'd expect each of those guys improved a great deal after a couple of years or more. Of course Manaia was 20 last year when making his debut.

 

[Goose]

WHeelhouse hasn't stood out though when he has played in NYC. Liddle has made a big impact with his running game.

As i said in another thread, Liddle needs to develop his game to more than just being very good at running the ball. His delivery and passing game in general, and a bit of a kicking game from dummy half, could all do with serious improvement. Reminds of Stu Flanagan.

Cherry is a far more well rounded player, and was at a similar age in NYC too.

In a months time Liddle'll be back in NYC where we'll have 3-4 very decent young hookers fighting for a spot.

Liddle has certainly kicked ahead, no doubt, but the experience of the Aus schoolboys and subsequent opportunity definitely enhances development. It may have happened anyway, was just pondering the what if's :slight_smile:

I agree 100% with your assessment, he has a sharp running game, the rest is good at NYC level, but short of where it needs to be.

I think Stu Flannagan is not a bad comparison, he is maybe a little more dynamic than Stu (and probably stronger), Nefe Seluini is another player who is similar, also dynamic at NYC level.

The thing is that Liddle is still only 19, another year in NYC may see him become more rounded.

I think Wheelhouse is kind of the opposite, makes good decisions, pretty smart at DH, good at committing the marker, but lacks a bit of dynamite. Combining their strengths provides almost the perfect player!

 

[Goose]

Jacob actually reminds me more of Cam Smith, certainly in build if not much else. I've seen him play about a half dozen games and he looks good. Can anyone think of any 19 or 20 year old number 9s in the last 10 years who have played NRL? No doubt there would be a few that filled in at times but can't recall any off the top of my head. Like any position, but especially halves and hooker, players don't tend to be at their best until early to mid 20s, actually Smith, Thurston, Lockyer etc probably were at their best in their late 20s or even early 30s. It makes you wonder just how good some of our younger guys might be in a few more years.

Interesting to see how players see people differently, you see Cam Smith, I think he is polar opposite!

Interestingly I see Wheelhouse in the Smith mould (no where near as good obviously, but in style)

 

[2041]

We could have a hooking dilemma in the next couple of years between Cherrington and Liddle .

I doubt it: one will be at Souths and the other at Manly, and we'll be playing Isaac de Gois or some other superannuated nuffie.

 

[foreveratiger]

We could have a hooking dilemma in the next couple of years between Cherrington and Liddle .

I doubt it: one will be at Souths and the other at Manly, and we'll be playing Isaac de Gois or some other superannuated nuffie.

Let's hope not.

If Cherrington makes the number 9 position his? Well Liddle might go if another Club give him an opportunity for the number 9 position, hopefully we are able to find an effective role for both in our 17 in future years.

 

[tsjonathan]

We could have a hooking dilemma in the next couple of years between Cherrington and Liddle .

I doubt it: one will be at Souths and the other at Manly, and we'll be playing Isaac de Gois or some other superannuated nuffie.

Let's hope not.

If Cherrington makes the number 9 position his? Well Liddle might go if another Club give him an opportunity for the number 9 position, hopefully we are able to find an effective role for both in our 17 in future years.

I wouldn't be too concerned about losing Liddle especially if we have Peck. Liddle's played well last year and was scoring a try per game at one stage. But he never really stood out. I know he made the state of origin (U20) team as well.

 

[Sabre]

>
>
Wests Tigers are pleased to announce the re-signing of exciting young talent Jacob Liddle on a two-year deal.
>
The 19-year-old hooker has been impressive during his stints in both the Intrust Super Premiership and Holden Cup sides this season.
>
Liddle, an Australian Schoolboys representative, won the Club’s Under 20s Players' Player Award last year in a stellar first season in Wests Tigers colours.
>
The Wyong Roos junior said he was pleased to have signed on with Wests Tigers until the end of 2018.
>
“I’m really excited to have signed on for 2017 and 2018 at Wests Tigers,” Liddle said.
>
“I had a really good pre-season under my belt with the NRL squad and that helped me build up a bit for this year.
>
“I feel like I’m keeping up with the pace of the game a bit better this season; I’ve had a few games in the Intrust Super Premiership and that has been really helpful for me.
>
“I’ve learned a lot from the senior guys here at the Club, they are very professional and I’m looking forward to learning more in years to come.
>
“My goal is to play a few more games of Intrust Super Premiership this year, get a good pre-season under my belt and then push for an NRL debut in the future,” he said.
>
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe expressed his excitement to have yet another exciting talent commit their future to the Club.
>
“It’s great to see a young player of Jacob’s talent extend their contract at Wests Tigers,” Pascoe said. “We believe he has a very bright future ahead of him and we are all very pleased that he will be with the Club for another two years.
>
“I’m looking forward to seeing him develop his game further here at Wests Tigers,” he said.
>
Head Coach Jason Taylor said Liddle is a great prospect who has impressed many with a number of standout performances since joining Wests Tigers at the start of 2015.
>
“I’m really excited to have Jacob signed on at the Club for two more seasons,” Taylor said.
>
“He is still only very young but I’ve been really impressed with him, especially when he has stepped up to our Intrust Super Premiership side throughout this year.
>
“Jacob is a very gifted footballer and there’s no doubt that he has a big future ahead of him — it’s another exciting re-signing for the Club,” he said.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2016/06/14/jacob_liddle_commits.html

 

[teddy23]

Of corruse JT is happy we re-sign a hooker.

Nah but in all seriousness, a good signing don't expect too much from him but I think he'll fit in well in the NRL

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

Good signing and look forward to seeing him develop over the next few years.
I would assume that is it for Cherrington though.