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Having watched the young hooker waiting in the wings for several years, Jacob Liddle’s teammates are confident in a big future for the No.9 after announcing a new deal with the club.
The contract extension announced on Tuesday will see Liddle remain with Wests Tigers until the end of 2021, with the retirement of Robbie Farah at season’s end opening up the number nine jersey for the Wyong Roos junior in 2020.
Still only 22 years of age, Liddle has already chalked up 36 games in his NRL career including five tries and has featured nine times for Michael Maguire’s side in 2019.
While not included in the side to face the Bulldogs this Saturday, Liddle’s teammates were full of praise for the young hooker during the week — believing he has all the tools to become one of the most dominant number nines in the game.
“He’s made a lot of improvements over the last two years,” Chris Lawrence said.
"He’s a very shy kid but as he’s getting more comfortable around the group. He’s become much more dominant which you have to be to be a hooker.
"His speed out of dummy half is great — he’s probably the quickest here at the club — and he’s so dangerous when he gets that broken play.
“One thing he’s really improved on is his defence. Obviously, as a young hooker coming through you’re a target for those big forwards and it takes a few years to adapt and get your defence right. But that’s something I’ve noticed over the last 12 months, he’s really improved there and it’s a strong part of his game now.”
Luke Brooks echoed Lawrence’s comments, saying that his ability was certainly capable of taking him alongside some of the best in the game.
“He’s a great player, just with his speed out of dummy half,” he said. "He’s got that speed that a lot of hookers don’t really have — he’s in a mould of a Damien Cook.
“He’s had a tough time over the past couple years with injury and Robbie owning that position but with his retirement, there is a spot for Jacob to make the hooker position his own.
“His defence over this past year has definitely improved with a lot of wrestle we’ve been doing, especially under Michael Maguire. That’s really helped him — he’s actually getting a lot bigger and has gone from 80kgs to 90kgs already."
Liddle’s retention caps off a strong period of signing news for the Maguire’s side with young talent in Josh Aloiai (signed until 2021) and Thomas Mikaele (signed until 2021) joining the likes of Corey Thompson (signed until 2021) and Michael Chee Kam (signed until 2021) in committing their futures to Wests Tigers.
Maguire praised Liddle’s professionalism on and off the field, and said he looked forward to watching the hooker continue his development.
“I’m really excited to see Jacob commit his future to Wests Tigers,” Maguire said.
“I’ve been thoroughly impressed with his character and the way he has developed as a player both on and off the field this year. He has shown tremendous progress and I look forward to watching him now take the next steps in his career.
“Jacob has grown really well in his time at the club so far and has added some great attributes to his game. With his genuine speed and creativity, we know he can take this team to another level and we’re excited to see him do that going forward.”
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@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
“probably the fastest at the club”
well, now we know who the fastest is i guess
Fastest people at our club r probably
1- Liddle
2- Nofo?
3- THomo/Brooks?Nofo second?
You’re dreaming. -
@cktiger said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
“probably the fastest at the club”
well, now we know who the fastest is i guess
Fastest people at our club r probably
1- Liddle
2- Nofo?
3- THomo/Brooks?Nofo second?
You’re dreaming.a nrl article a week ago
had the fastest NRL speeds over the season, JAC was #1
and Nofo was #2
No one special…
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@TheDaBoss
Liddle, brooks, nofo, Mbye, thommo…going by eye imo atm -
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@cktiger said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
“probably the fastest at the club”
well, now we know who the fastest is i guess
Fastest people at our club r probably
1- Liddle
2- Nofo?
3- THomo/Brooks?Nofo second?
You’re dreaming.a nrl article a week ago
had the fastest NRL speeds over the season, JAC was #1
and Nofo was #2
Nofo second fastest in the league is so wrong it’s ludicrous. I think their speed gun needs a tune up.
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@cktiger said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
“probably the fastest at the club”
well, now we know who the fastest is i guess
Fastest people at our club r probably
1- Liddle
2- Nofo?
3- THomo/Brooks?Nofo second?
You’re dreaming.Not sure where Nofo sits in the pecking order at the club. He ain’t in the top ten in the league that’s for sure.
But I was going to mention last week against Cowboys that I thought he looked leaner and quicker, anyone else notice this? Or maybe just wishful thinking on my behalf. -
Alex Twal quicker than Nofo!
https://twitter.com/nrl/status/1032734225403994112?lang=en -
@rustycage said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@cktiger said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
“probably the fastest at the club”
well, now we know who the fastest is i guess
Fastest people at our club r probably
1- Liddle
2- Nofo?
3- THomo/Brooks?Nofo second?
You’re dreaming.a nrl article a week ago
had the fastest NRL speeds over the season, JAC was #1
and Nofo was #2
Nofo second fastest in the league is so wrong it’s ludicrous. I think their speed gun needs a tune up.
If I got booked with that speed gun I 'd take it to court.
No chance in the world Nofo is faster than Roberts, Tedesco, Cook, Mitchell, RTS, Nicoll- Klokstad, Ponga, Xerri … the list goes on.
Nothing against him. -
@Snake said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@GNR4LIFE obviously there is a plan ! to that end who
Knows ?A rebuild. You know we fans love a rebuild. Then in 2 years times we can wait for next year…exciting times ahead.
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@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@cktiger said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
@TheDaBoss said in Teammates confident in big future for Liddle:
“probably the fastest at the club”
well, now we know who the fastest is i guess
Fastest people at our club r probably
1- Liddle
2- Nofo?
3- THomo/Brooks?Nofo second?
You’re dreaming.a nrl article a week ago
had the fastest NRL speeds over the season, JAC was #1
and Nofo was #2
I don’t know why this is getting continually brought up …it was a one off and the speed was hit over a short distance according to the telstra tracker…Nofa hit the 2nd highest speed recorded this year when he chased down Jack Wighton…that’s all it was…
Now it’s just become a mockery of the bloke who puts in every time he pulls on the jersey for us as can be seen by the following posts in this thread…
His strengths are bringing the ball back braking tackles and putting his hand up to make dirty metres coming out of trouble…he has also scored some good TRIES this year and saved some as well…
Brooks Liddle Mbye and Chee-Kam are the fastest in our team…
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