Recruit watch: Jacob Liddle

The NRL market has been in full swing for 2023 with several stars switching clubs ahead of the new season.

NRL.com takes a look at the major transfers and how your club will benefit from a star arrival.

Jacob Liddle (Dragons)

• Age: 26
• Position they’ll fill: Hooker
• Contracted until: 2023

What Liddle can bring

Former Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle shifts south to St George Illawarra and is suddenly one of the club's most important signings for 2023. 

The sudden retirement of Andrew McCullough, who still had 12 months left to run on his contract, has opened the door for Liddle to cement the No.9 jersey at the Dragons. 

The 26-year-old endured a mixed time at Wests Tigers previously, originally playing as a back-up to Robbie Farah twice before struggling for any great consistency in his opportunities at the joint venture. 

Despite being restricted to 73 career games in seven seasons as a Tiger, the career change ahead for Liddle could be a turning point he needs to take his game to a new level alongside a dominant halfback and leader in Ben Hunt. 

Liddle was an impressive dummy half coming through the junior system but is yet to truly kick on in the NRL. The Dragons will be hoping he can take the opportunity presented to him this season.

Why it will work

A change is as good as a holiday and in this case Liddle fits the bill for the Dragons with McCullough's departure leaving them very short at hooker. 

If Liddle can replicate his 2021 season, where he managed to play in 20 games for a career-best effort, he should prove more than useful for the Dragons.

Given he's only signed for the one year, he'll have a short time to settle in and impress, and from all reports he has already made a strong start during pre-season.

The only risk here will be Liddle's unfortunate run of injuries hampering his time spent on the field. It's likely the Dragons will look to beef up their hooker stocks before a ball is kicked regardless with three spots remaining in the top 30.