St George Illawarra recruit Jacob Liddle signed with the Red V thinking he’d be competing for the number nine jersey against one of the NRL’s most experienced hookers.
But following veteran Andrew McCullough’s sudden retirement, the former Wests Tiger has less than four months to make the red and white No. 9 his own.
A former Australian Schoolboys representative, the 26-year-old Central Coast junior joined the Wests Tigers in 2015 and played 73 games for the club since making his NRL debut in 2016.
But after seven years in western Sydney - where he overcame multiple injuries and most recently finished with the wooden spoon - Liddle was looking for a fresh start to his career and believed that was at the Dragons, despite the side already having a full-time hooker when he signed.
Liddle's extra effort wins tackle of the week
“I saw a club that needed a bit more depth in the hooker role and whether Macca (McCullough) was playing or not, I wanted to have a crack and take that position,” Liddle told NRL.com at pre-season training.
“I think I’m fit enough to be the 80-minute man but whether I come off the bench or start, I’m ready to have a red-hot crack.
“I’ve been a hooker since I was 15. I love the position, you’ve got to work hard and there’s a bit of skill involved as well.
“Starting hooker in Round 2 [given the Dragons have the bye in Round 1] is definitely my goal at the moment.”
After depth at dummy-half was a department the club struggled with last season, Anthony Griffin has tried to shore up options in the off-season, with Dragons junior Connor Muhleisen and Storm train and trail recruit Haele Finau also set to battle their fellow new recruit for the hooking duties.
Liddle right down the middle
“Having that depth and those boys pushing me to be better is definitely what you want. We’re doing a lot of extras after training with the younger boys, and it’s been good for me,” Liddle said.
“They’ve got some skills too. H (Haele) has come from a really good system and Connor is a great player so I’ve learnt heaps off them and can hopefully teach them a few things too.”
“I’ve been in the NRL system for eight years now and have had a few coaches over that time so I’m hoping I can bring a few different insights.
“My speed out of hooker is also something I think I can bring to the club.”
With the Dragons handed a bye in Round 1 of the 2023 Telstra Premiership draw, St George’s week two clash against the Gold Coast in Kogarah is no doubt a date circled in Liddle - and his family’s calendar.
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“My mum and little brother went for the Dragons growing up so that was a little bit different coming to a club where they support and used to give it to me when they won,” he said. “So they’re pretty excited about the move too.
"I just thought why not come down here, have a crack and really make a career at this point in time."