Who should our No. 9 be for 2021

[mike]

Put them all here... mods can move posts here?

I’ll start... Liddle, if he stays injury free he’ll be awesome

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Put them all here... mods can move posts here?

I’ll start... Liddle, if he stays injury free he’ll be awesome

Whoever Madge feels can do the job.

 

[dazza65]

Hard question as I haven't seen Simpkin play so for now, more than willing to give Liddle first crack. I think he has always shown promise in every game I have seen him play so...Liddle for me.

 

[Speed2burn]

I think Liddle gets first crack , however wouldn’t be surprised to see both in the 17 at some stage. With the way the game is evolving I think exploiting teams from dummy half will be crucial. Sorta like back in the Halatau/Farah days in 05.

 

[happy_tiger]

It will probably be Liddle Rd 1 and he has HUGE shoes to fill and HEAPS to prove to everyone

 

[TigerVinnie]

Will start with Liddle, Simpkins to reserve to build some match fitness (considering he hasn't played in a year)

Simpkin will creep his way onto a bench spot sometime into the season to come on before/after half time to maintain continued pressure out of dummy half.

If he lives up to his hype Simpkins will be pushing for starting spot come the end of the year with Liddle going to the bench. Would assume Simpkin 80mins come 2022.

 

[cochise]

I think Liddle gets first crack , however wouldn’t be surprised to see both in the 17 at some stage. With the way the game is evolving I think exploiting teams from dummy half will be crucial. Sorta like back in the Halatau/Farah days in 05.

I was waiting for a team to exploit that in the finals but no one did.

 

[tony soprano]

Here come the Liddle lovers.

 

[mike]

Here come the Liddle lovers.

Who would you like to see as the No. 9?

 

[happy_tiger]

Here come the Liddle lovers.

You say that like they are apocalyptic zombies lol

 

[Speed2burn]

I think Liddle gets first crack , however wouldn’t be surprised to see both in the 17 at some stage. With the way the game is evolving I think exploiting teams from dummy half will be crucial. Sorta like back in the Halatau/Farah days in 05.

I was waiting for a team to exploit that in the finals but no one did.

It’s a highly underrated asset to have and those two executed it brilliantly, I have no idea what sort of #9 Simpkins is, only watched a couple highlights but he’s a big kid.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Whoever is playing best in the preseason.

 

[tony soprano]

Here come the Liddle lovers.

Who would you like to see as the No. 9?

Simpkin!!! ?

Hopefully club get it right


https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.news.com.au/sport/nrl/jacob-liddle-ready-to-excel-at-hooker-for-the-wests-tigers-in-2021/news-story/3b79d31bf48977ab557f08dec4405002

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Here come the Liddle lovers.

What are you trying to achieve from this post?

Oh - I’d start with Liddle.

 

[westies]

[link text](https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/jacob-liddle-ready-to-excel-at-hooker-for-the-wests-tigers-in-2021/news-story/3b79d31bf48977ab557f08dec4405002)

Jacob Liddle ready to excel at hooker for the Wests Tigers in 2021

JANUARY 20, 2021 2:14pm

Jacob Liddle is helped from the field after sustaining a knee injury in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon ThorneSource:AAP
Matt LogueNCA NewsWire
A fresh and fit Jacob Liddle has declared he is ready to make the Wests Tigers No.9 jumper his own after a series of injuries, announcing he must step up because he is no longer a “rookie”.

A knee injury and consecutive shoulder reconstructions have restricted Liddle to just 43 games since making his NRL debut with the Tigers back in 2016.

But after completing his first full pre-season since 2017, the Gosford-born hooker is primed to start in the Tigers’ No.9 jersey following Harry Grant’s return to Melbourne.

“I’m excited to take that starting nine jumper this year – that is my goal and what I’m working towards,” Liddle said.

“I think this is my year. If it is not now, then when?

“I’m 24, I’ve got a big pre-season under my belt, and I’m not just a rookie coming through anymore.

“I’m the strongest and fittest that I’ve ever been, so I’m really keen to rip in and give it my all.”

Jacob Liddle goes down with a knee injury. Picture. Phil Hillyard
Jacob Liddle goes down with a knee injury. Picture. Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia
Liddle is leaning on his childhood hero, Tigers legend Robbie Farah, to help him reach his potential in 2021.

Farah is on the Tigers’ coaching staff this season, taking the time to pass on his knowledge to the club’s rising players.

Liddle has certainly benefited greatly from working side-by-side with the man he used to sit behind in the Tigers’ hooker pecking order.

“I’m learning heaps off Robbie,” he said.

“He has a world of knowledge as a hooker – he is one of the best in the game, so I take as much as I can from him.

“He gives me a lot of tips on everything from game management to kicking and passing.

“The hooker is one of the most important people on the field, so we have to be switched on.

“Robbie passes on all those little things that he has learnt from over the years.”

Liddle is also excelling under the guidance of coach Michael Maguire, who showed huge faith to re-sign him in 2019 on the back of limited NRL appearances and just before he suffered an ACL injury that ended his ’19 campaign.

It is why he is desperate to repay Maguire with consistent form this season.

“Madge’s support has been good – he re-signed me just before I did my knee injury,” he said.

“It has been great to have him as a coach. He has been really supportive of me.

“I was happy to stay at the Tigers. I’ve been at this club since I was 18 and I was excited to re-sign and prove myself to give back to the club for showing me all this support.

Jacob Liddle can’t wait to play with former Panther James Tamou. Picture: Brett Costello
Jacob Liddle can’t wait to play with former Panther James Tamou. Picture: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia
“I think Madge and I work well together, so hopefully we can have a good season.”

Liddle is also enthusiastic about how the Tigers are tracking under Maguire despite the club’s failure to make the finals since 2011.

“It has been really good that the club has supported Madge in what he is doing and the direction he is going in,” he said.

“I think we are just building a strong culture and he has signed a lot of boys who have really bought into what he is trying to do.”

Liddle nominated former Penrith skipper and premiership-winning Cowboy James Tamou as a standout in the pre-season.

“We needed a bit of a leader, so I think Jimmy has slotted into that role really well,” he said.

“He is a great bloke, and he is a person that you would want to follow, so I’m excited to have him as one of my front-rowers.”

 

[happy_tiger]

[link text](https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/jacob-liddle-ready-to-excel-at-hooker-for-the-wests-tigers-in-2021/news-story/3b79d31bf48977ab557f08dec4405002)

Jacob Liddle ready to excel at hooker for the Wests Tigers in 2021

JANUARY 20, 2021 2:14pm

Jacob Liddle is helped from the field after sustaining a knee injury in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon ThorneSource:AAP
Matt LogueNCA NewsWire
A fresh and fit Jacob Liddle has declared he is ready to make the Wests Tigers No.9 jumper his own after a series of injuries, announcing he must step up because he is no longer a “rookie”.

A knee injury and consecutive shoulder reconstructions have restricted Liddle to just 43 games since making his NRL debut with the Tigers back in 2016.

But after completing his first full pre-season since 2017, the Gosford-born hooker is primed to start in the Tigers’ No.9 jersey following Harry Grant’s return to Melbourne.

“I’m excited to take that starting nine jumper this year – that is my goal and what I’m working towards,” Liddle said.

“I think this is my year. If it is not now, then when?

“I’m 24, I’ve got a big pre-season under my belt, and I’m not just a rookie coming through anymore.

“I’m the strongest and fittest that I’ve ever been, so I’m really keen to rip in and give it my all.”

Jacob Liddle goes down with a knee injury. Picture. Phil Hillyard
Jacob Liddle goes down with a knee injury. Picture. Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia
Liddle is leaning on his childhood hero, Tigers legend Robbie Farah, to help him reach his potential in 2021.

Farah is on the Tigers’ coaching staff this season, taking the time to pass on his knowledge to the club’s rising players.

Liddle has certainly benefited greatly from working side-by-side with the man he used to sit behind in the Tigers’ hooker pecking order.

“I’m learning heaps off Robbie,” he said.

“He has a world of knowledge as a hooker – he is one of the best in the game, so I take as much as I can from him.

“He gives me a lot of tips on everything from game management to kicking and passing.

“The hooker is one of the most important people on the field, so we have to be switched on.

“Robbie passes on all those little things that he has learnt from over the years.”

Liddle is also excelling under the guidance of coach Michael Maguire, who showed huge faith to re-sign him in 2019 on the back of limited NRL appearances and just before he suffered an ACL injury that ended his ’19 campaign.

It is why he is desperate to repay Maguire with consistent form this season.

“Madge’s support has been good – he re-signed me just before I did my knee injury,” he said.

“It has been great to have him as a coach. He has been really supportive of me.

“I was happy to stay at the Tigers. I’ve been at this club since I was 18 and I was excited to re-sign and prove myself to give back to the club for showing me all this support.

Jacob Liddle can’t wait to play with former Panther James Tamou. Picture: Brett Costello
Jacob Liddle can’t wait to play with former Panther James Tamou. Picture: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia
“I think Madge and I work well together, so hopefully we can have a good season.”

Liddle is also enthusiastic about how the Tigers are tracking under Maguire despite the club’s failure to make the finals since 2011.

“It has been really good that the club has supported Madge in what he is doing and the direction he is going in,” he said.

“I think we are just building a strong culture and he has signed a lot of boys who have really bought into what he is trying to do.”

Liddle nominated former Penrith skipper and premiership-winning Cowboy James Tamou as a standout in the pre-season.

“We needed a bit of a leader, so I think Jimmy has slotted into that role really well,” he said.

“He is a great bloke, and he is a person that you would want to follow, so I’m excited to have him as one of my front-rowers.”

Ok .....not trying to be negative ...but he says he is learning heaps from Farah

He has been with Farah for how many seasons now ...if he hasn't drained Robbie's brain already as well as Harry Grant's .....

 

[tony soprano]

Here come the Liddle lovers.

What are you trying to achieve from this post?

Oh - I’d start with Liddle.

I respect this comment as I made the Liddle/little dad joke last month.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

back in the Halatau/Farah days in 05.

Sorry Speedie - Halatau did not share the Hooking job with Farah in 2005.
It was Galea first 6 rounds then Farah for 7, then Farah benched for 2 for Galea again then Farah Hooked for the rest of the Season.
Halatau started on the bench Rd 1 (Farah DNP) then he was Centre in our 2nd match vs Dogs (rd3 after the Bye) Then Bench for 3 games alongside Farah then DNP Rd 8, Bench for next 4, then DNP for next 5 Rds 12-16. He was Bench for Rds 17-22 Then 1 game as Centre then picked as Centre but benched for Collis return. Then Benched last 4 games of the For Against Season. Farah was on the Bench himself when Halatau DNP in Rd 14 & 15.
Quite simply, Dene did not share the hooking duties with Farah.
BTW Galea played Hooker 7 times 2R 5 times Bench 1 and seemed to have found his home at Lock for the last 10 games only to shift back to the 2R so Dene Halatau could lock the scrum for the final 4 games of the Finals period! What a massive pack we had back then! :grin:

 

[Speed2burn]

back in the Halatau/Farah days in 05.
Sorry Speedie - Halatau did not share the Hooking job with Farah in 2005.
It was Galea first 6 rounds then Farah for 7, then Farah benched for 2 for Galea again then Farah Hooked for the rest of the Season.
Halatau started on the bench Rd 1 (Farah DNP) then he was Centre in our 2nd match vs Dogs (rd3 after the Bye) Then Bench for 3 games alongside Farah then DNP Rd 8, Bench for next 4, then DNP for next 5 Rds 12-16. He was Bench for Rds 17-22 Then 1 game as Centre then picked as Centre but benched for Collis return. Then Benched last 4 games of the For Against Season. Farah was on the Bench himself when Halatau DNP in Rd 14 & 15.
Quite simply, Dene did not share the hooking duties with Farah.
BTW Galea played Hooker 7 times 2R 5 times Bench 1 and seemed to have found his home at Lock for the last 10 games only to shift back to the 2R so Dene Halatau could lock the scrum for the final 4 games of the Finals period! What a massive pack we had back then! :grin:

My memory fades me then haha....I could have sworn they did, but I guess I may need to watch a few re runs

Dene was huge in that finals run.

 

[cochise]

back in the Halatau/Farah days in 05.
Sorry Speedie - Halatau did not share the Hooking job with Farah in 2005.
It was Galea first 6 rounds then Farah for 7, then Farah benched for 2 for Galea again then Farah Hooked for the rest of the Season.
Halatau started on the bench Rd 1 (Farah DNP) then he was Centre in our 2nd match vs Dogs (rd3 after the Bye) Then Bench for 3 games alongside Farah then DNP Rd 8, Bench for next 4, then DNP for next 5 Rds 12-16. He was Bench for Rds 17-22 Then 1 game as Centre then picked as Centre but benched for Collis return. Then Benched last 4 games of the For Against Season. Farah was on the Bench himself when Halatau DNP in Rd 14 & 15.
Quite simply, Dene did not share the hooking duties with Farah.
BTW Galea played Hooker 7 times 2R 5 times Bench 1 and seemed to have found his home at Lock for the last 10 games only to shift back to the 2R so Dene Halatau could lock the scrum for the final 4 games of the Finals period! What a massive pack we had back then! :grin:

That is not actually what we are referring to when we talk about them sharing roles, it is more them sharing the dummy half role. During the run through the finals Dene was playing lock but he was getting into dummy half a lot as well. He was devastating out of dummy half in the win over the dragons.

Basically at times during that run we were playing with 2 dummy halves. This is what we mean when we speak about them sharing the role.