Liddle

[Newtown]

**Off-contract Liddle in Tigers' No.9 battle**
Pamela Whaley

Bravery can take many forms but for Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle it means simply trying again.

Jacob Liddle is aiming to cement a place as Wests Tigers' No.9 and earn a new NRL contract. The 24-year-old is not only battling for the starting hooker role with rookie Jake Simpkin this season, but also for his NRL future with the club he loves.

Across the past six seasons Liddle has gone from promising junior, to enduring three major surgeries that would leave any person doubting their own ability.

But not Liddle.

He was first touted as 'the next Robbie Farah' as a teen but two shoulder surgeries and an ACL injury hampered his rise, while the arrival of Harry Grant last year forced him to wait even longer to prove he can be the Tigers' first-choice hooker.

"It's tough, you don't get used to rehab but you get better at it," Liddle told AAP.

"It's all a mental game.

"It's staying in a positive mindset, not looking weeks ahead, just taking it day by day and having good people around you."

Now, after 43 games in five seasons for the Tigers, Liddle is in the final year of his contract.

Through sheer bad luck, the Central Coast product has never been able to get going, but he's facing this make or break season with the hope he can finally show what he is capable of.

"You don't want to think about that stuff but it's facts," he said.

"I just want to play some footy again and I'm just happy to be back on the field.

"It's been a frustrating couple of years and I'm not taking anything for granted anymore."

Liddle was impressive in the Tigers' trial win over Manly on Sunday but he's unsure if he did enough to secure the No.9 jersey for their NRL opener against Canberra.

He wants to play 80 minutes in the middle but if being on the field means working in tandem with Simpkin, or even moving into lock, he's willing to do anything coach Michael Maguire asks.

"I'd love to play 80," Liddle said.

"It's always been a goal of mine as a hooker, especially with limited interchange.

"But if Madge wants to put another hooker on the bench or whatever he's going to do with me I'm happy."

 

[Spartan117]

Liddle will be very solid for the Tigers.

He has a great ability to place the ball ensuring forwards maintain the roll whilst darting out when the opportunity presents itself.

 

[rustycage]

Liddle will be very solid for the Tigers.

He has a great ability to place the ball ensuring forwards maintain the roll whilst darting out when the opportunity presents itself.

He'll be a lot better than solid. His determination is admirable. His commitment to being the best he can be is unquestionable.

 

[Eca]

Fingers crossed, the setbacks could be a blessing in disguise, not much mileage, at 24, body could be on best shape to get going

 

[JC99]

Fingers crossed he stays on the field and can perform for us

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Good luck to him very solid player, do think we have something special in Simpkin though so if he wanted to pursue a big contract then I wouldn't begrudge him that given injuries.
Hope he plays well and they puts pressure on each other all year means we will be lethal from dummy half

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

He has potential. Injury free please..

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

He has potential. Injury free please..

He'll kill it this year🤞🤞🤞🤞

 

[TIGERPOWER]

Like Brooks, I think this year is make or break for Liddle. I think he deserves first crack at the number 9. Will be interesting to see what madge does with number 14. Does he have Simpkin there, or does he have mbye and let Simpkin play 80 minutes in state cup.

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

I really like Simpkins as a DH but Liddle does have better service from DH. I really hope he has an injury free year and becomes the player everyone says he can be.
He is showing all the right attributes in the trials to become the DH we want him to be. Personally I am rooting for him to succeed.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

He has potential. Injury free please..

He'll kill it this year????

Likewise ?

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

"It's been a great pre-season for my body and great for my mind too. I think I've come on leaps and bounds this year and I'm really happy with that."
Love this attitude from Lids! 👏


 

[The_Patriot]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

 

[momo_amp_medo]

I think there is a place in the side for both Liddle and Simpkin in the 17.
However if the piece of cheese is on the menu then one will definitely have to go.

 

[The_Patriot]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

Please don’t tell me we’ve lost him? The scapegoat? How the hell Madge can expect to remain coach after coaching decisions such as dropping Liddle instead of Mbye the catch and pass distributor and Luke chip kick bomber brooks is beyond me. How he could put Chee kam in the centre’s over Cini or drop Mikaele against Aloai is a mystery I will never ever understand.... Liddle just needed some match fitness and to develop combinations,,,,, but his job was impossible given the flat attack structure and the over running if every single damn play,,,, Cameron Smith would have looked like a park footballer given the attacking structure Liddle had to contend with from Dummy half in weeks one to. 6 FFS !

The only reason I can think of for Liddle being dropped was his timing from dummy half. If it's not consistent players can not run hard because they are slowing down waiting for the pass. I didn't see much else wrong with his game.

It sure made a difference.. . .

Was a weak decision to ONLY drop him.

 

[Blake]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

Please don’t tell me we’ve lost him? The scapegoat? How the hell Madge can expect to remain coach after coaching decisions such as dropping Liddle instead of Mbye the catch and pass distributor and Luke chip kick bomber brooks is beyond me. How he could put Chee kam in the centre’s over Cini or drop Mikaele against Aloai is a mystery I will never ever understand.... Liddle just needed some match fitness and to develop combinations,,,,, but his job was impossible given the flat attack structure and the over running if every single damn play,,,, Cameron Smith would have looked like a park footballer given the attacking structure Liddle had to contend with from Dummy half in weeks one to. 6 FFS !

The only reason I can think of for Liddle being dropped was his timing from dummy half. If it's not consistent players can not run hard because they are slowing down waiting for the pass. I didn't see much else wrong with his game.


It sure made a difference.. . .

Was a weak decision to ONLY drop him.

Did I accidentally wander into the "Sacking Luke Brooks will fix everything" thread again? Those topic titles can be tricky.

 

[The_Patriot]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

Please don’t tell me we’ve lost him? The scapegoat? How the hell Madge can expect to remain coach after coaching decisions such as dropping Liddle instead of Mbye the catch and pass distributor and Luke chip kick bomber brooks is beyond me. How he could put Chee kam in the centre’s over Cini or drop Mikaele against Aloai is a mystery I will never ever understand.... Liddle just needed some match fitness and to develop combinations,,,,, but his job was impossible given the flat attack structure and the over running if every single damn play,,,, Cameron Smith would have looked like a park footballer given the attacking structure Liddle had to contend with from Dummy half in weeks one to. 6 FFS !

The only reason I can think of for Liddle being dropped was his timing from dummy half. If it's not consistent players can not run hard because they are slowing down waiting for the pass. I didn't see much else wrong with his game.


It sure made a difference.. . .

Was a weak decision to ONLY drop him.

Did I accidentally wander into the "Sacking Luke Brooks will fix everything" thread again? Those topic titles can be tricky.

Did you carry over your emotions from a Luke brooks thread into this one?

 

[Blake]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

Please don’t tell me we’ve lost him? The scapegoat? How the hell Madge can expect to remain coach after coaching decisions such as dropping Liddle instead of Mbye the catch and pass distributor and Luke chip kick bomber brooks is beyond me. How he could put Chee kam in the centre’s over Cini or drop Mikaele against Aloai is a mystery I will never ever understand.... Liddle just needed some match fitness and to develop combinations,,,,, but his job was impossible given the flat attack structure and the over running if every single damn play,,,, Cameron Smith would have looked like a park footballer given the attacking structure Liddle had to contend with from Dummy half in weeks one to. 6 FFS !

The only reason I can think of for Liddle being dropped was his timing from dummy half. If it's not consistent players can not run hard because they are slowing down waiting for the pass. I didn't see much else wrong with his game.


It sure made a difference.. . .

Was a weak decision to ONLY drop him.

Did I accidentally wander into the "Sacking Luke Brooks will fix everything" thread again? Those topic titles can be tricky.


Did you carry over your emotions from a Luke brooks thread into this one?

No, but you have been a lot repetitive throughout the years. Are you saying that this time you would not have dropped Brooks?

 

[happy_tiger]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

Please don’t tell me we’ve lost him? The scapegoat? How the hell Madge can expect to remain coach after coaching decisions such as dropping Liddle instead of Mbye the catch and pass distributor and Luke chip kick bomber brooks is beyond me. How he could put Chee kam in the centre’s over Cini or drop Mikaele against Aloai is a mystery I will never ever understand.... Liddle just needed some match fitness and to develop combinations,,,,, but his job was impossible given the flat attack structure and the over running if every single damn play,,,, Cameron Smith would have looked like a park footballer given the attacking structure Liddle had to contend with from Dummy half in weeks one to. 6 FFS !

The only reason I can think of for Liddle being dropped was his timing from dummy half. If it's not consistent players can not run hard because they are slowing down waiting for the pass. I didn't see much else wrong with his game.


It sure made a difference.. . .

Was a weak decision to ONLY drop him.

Did I accidentally wander into the "Sacking Luke Brooks will fix everything" thread again? Those topic titles can be tricky.

I'm confused as well ...is this the Condescending Blake thread

 

[The_Patriot]

About the only guy id invite around for a BBQ.

Seriously hard done by taking the fall for everyone else's incompetence.

Good luck at the Bulldogs or wherever you end up

Please don’t tell me we’ve lost him? The scapegoat? How the hell Madge can expect to remain coach after coaching decisions such as dropping Liddle instead of Mbye the catch and pass distributor and Luke chip kick bomber brooks is beyond me. How he could put Chee kam in the centre’s over Cini or drop Mikaele against Aloai is a mystery I will never ever understand.... Liddle just needed some match fitness and to develop combinations,,,,, but his job was impossible given the flat attack structure and the over running if every single damn play,,,, Cameron Smith would have looked like a park footballer given the attacking structure Liddle had to contend with from Dummy half in weeks one to. 6 FFS !

The only reason I can think of for Liddle being dropped was his timing from dummy half. If it's not consistent players can not run hard because they are slowing down waiting for the pass. I didn't see much else wrong with his game.


It sure made a difference.. . .

Was a weak decision to ONLY drop him.

Did I accidentally wander into the "Sacking Luke Brooks will fix everything" thread again? Those topic titles can be tricky.


Did you carry over your emotions from a Luke brooks thread into this one?

No, but you have been a lot repetitive throughout the years. Are you saying that this time you would not have dropped Brooks?

Having to explain this just shows i was right about you being upset about your mate.

All ive said here and its a very valid point is that Jacob Liddle did not deserve the blame for an under performing team.
If you are happy for one player to bear the brunt of our performances well thatll do me.

The dropping of ONLY Jacob Liddle is the reason we got smashed by Manly.