Highly-rated young hooker Jacob Liddle will tonight become Wests Tigers Player #198 when he makes his NRL debut against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Only 19 years old and still eligible for Holden Cup, Liddle will make his first-grade debut off the interchange bench as Wests Tigers look to secure back-to-back wins this evening.
After a stellar first season of Holden Cup in 2015 that saw him named as the Player's Player of the Year, Liddle has continued his form again in season 2016, with a number of impressive performances in both Holden Cup and the Intrust Super Premiership.
In his six Holden Cup games this year, Wests Tigers are yet to taste defeat, with the wiry hooker racking up seven tries, three try-assists five linebreaks, and six linebreak-assists.
Liddle said he was blown away with the excitement of making his NRL debut tonight.
"I'm just so excited," he said. "It's unbelievable.
"It's what every kid dreams of growing up and now I've got this opportunity... I'm just so thankful for the chance this Club has given me and hopefully I can make the most of it.
"The guys have been really supportive, and they're a great group of players.
"I'm nervous, but I'm just trying to approach this like any other game and do what I do in every other game — play strong and play fast, and hopefully it all goes good!"
Wests Tigers recently signed Liddle on a new two-year deal until the end of season 2018.
To hear from Liddle about his NRL debut, and for Wests Tigers final team list, click here!
Sunday afternoon footy returns to Leichhardt Oval when we take on the Cowboys!
PLAYER PROFILE: JACOB LIDDLE
Date of Birth — 27th October, 1996
Height — 183cm
Weight — 85kg
Position — Hooker
Junior Club — Wyong Roos
Rep. Honours — Australian Schoolboys (2014), NSW U/20's (2015)
FG Debut — Wests Tigers vs. Bulldogs, ANZ Stadium, Round 18, 2016 (9/7/16)
