Wests Tigers show faith in Jacob Liddle with a new deal despite injury-riddled history

The Wests Tigers have shown faith in injury-riddled hooker Jacob Liddle, locking him down on a two-year extension.

In a big boost for Liddle’s promising career, he will remain in Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season. A Wyong Roos junior, Liddle joined the joint-venture club in 2015 after earning selection in the NSW Junior Origin and Australian Schoolboys sides.

He would quickly make his first grade debut the following year before permanently moving into the full-time squad for the 2017 season – playing 13 games and winning the club’s Rookie of the Year Award.

The talented rake has overcome several injuries throughout his career – including a serious knee injury in 2019 that sidelined him for part of the 2020 season also – but has since made a strong return and featured prominently for the club this year.

Liddle surpassed 50 NRL games earlier this year in his side’s win over Newcastle, and said he was very pleased to continue his playing career at Wests Tigers.

I’m really excited to be able to stay on with the club,” Liddle said. “It’s been a bit of an up-and-down ride for myself personally, but I’ve loved being at Wests Tigers and really feel a part of what we’re building here. “I’m determined now to make sure I continue to deliver my best footy each and every week and help bring success to the club, its members and its fans.” Tigers coach Michael Maguire praised Liddle for his work ethic and said he was pleased to see the hooker remain with the club. “Jacob has had to work really hard over the past few years,” Maguire said, “But he’s got himself now to a point where he has grown a lot as a footballer. “He also knows where he wants to get to as a player and where he wants this club to be, and I’m looking forward to watching him continue to grow and achieve more in the years to come.”

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe congratulated Liddle on his new deal with the club. “On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to say how pleased we are to see Jacob extend his playing future with the club,” Pascoe said. “Not only is Jacob a clearly talented footballer but he is an exceptional young man away from the field who genuinely lives out the values of what we want to be known for as a club. “Jacob has a great attitude towards his football and the club and is determined to deliver success to Wests Tigers. He is a fantastic ambassador for what we are building here, and we’re all looking forward to watching him develop further in a Wests Tigers jersey.”

In addition to Liddle’s two-year deal, the Tigers also confirmed that development player Kelma Tuilagi will move into the NRL squad for the start of the 2022 campaign on a one-year deal.

A Glenora Bears junior, Tuilagi featured for the Junior Kiwis in 2018 while part of the Melbourne Storm system and has featured prominently for the club’s Knock-On Effect NSW Cup side, Western Suburbs Magpies, throughout the year so far.

Maguire sees a bright future for Tuilagi.

“Kelma has settled really well into Wests Tigers and has certainly grown a lot already in his time with the club,” he said.

“Being in the full-time NRL squad next season will only benefit his development, and we’re looking forward to watching that progress in the years to come.”