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Penrith hitman Liam Martin’s reputation continues to soar with some now labelling him the best back-rower in the game – and even opposition players agree.
Martin was awarded the True Blue award at Monday night’s Brad Fittler Medal, with Blues advisor and Penrith great Greg Alexander taking to the stage to describe the 26-year-old as the best in his position.
Alexander said people would be quick to point out the Penrith bias, but he did not back away from those comments on Tuesday.
Viliame Kikau has long been regarded the standout edge forward in the game, and has been named Dally M back-rower of the year the past three seasons alongside Jeremiah Nanai, Isaiah Papali’i and Tohu Harris. Gold Coast’s David Fifita, Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Cronulla’s Briton Nikora would all feature in the conversation.
Martin will loom one of the biggest threats on either side of the ball when the premiers host the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
“What I’ve noticed about Liam is even if you’re not a Penrith supporter, people enjoy watching him as a player,” Alexander said.
Even his rivals cannot help but sing Liam Martin’s praises.Credit: Steven Siewert
“I hear that from other commentators and people in general. The Panthers have Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards, but the one player people bring up the most when talking to me is Liam. People just love the way he plays.
“Players improve with age and experience, and he’s just kept improving to the point where he is now. It’s always debatable when it comes to who is the best in the one position, but I think Liam is [the best].”
Martin played down the praise and handed top billing to former Panther Kikau.
“Look at the calibre of back-rowers out there, and while I know ‘Kiks’ had an ordinary year with injury, I still think he’s the best back-rower in the game,” Martin said.
For his part, Liam Martin believes former teammate Viliame Kikau remains the NRL’s back-row benchmark.Credit: Getty
Cronulla star Nicho Hynes played with Martin in the NSW Origin team this year, and said it was hard to go past the kid from country NSW.
“I’ll always back Briton because I’m his teammate, but if I had to pick a back-rower not in my team, it’s Marto – he’s the best back-rower in the comp I believe,” Hynes said.
“He’s got so much mongrel and is the hungriest player I’ve seen.
“He just goes after people. He’s not scared to take anyone on, he never takes a backward step, he takes the tough carries, and will shoot out of the line [in defence]. He’s the guy you want to play with.”
Martin underwent a head injury assessment last weekend when he went low on Cowboys opposite Luciano Leilua and ended up with nine stitches in a cut above his right eye.
He was worried his mother Maxine might leave him with nine stitches above his left eye after he failed to thank her at the awards.
Brian To’o won the main Brad Fittler Medal, but even he conceded he thought Martin would be given the prize. To’o and Martin were among seven players who featured in all three Origin games for the Blues.
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