State of Origin enforcer Liam Martin reveals how his brother helped make him one of the game’s most feared players before his tragic suicide
- Liam Martin’s late brother had a huge influence on him
- Jarred Martin showed his younger sibling no mercy
- If you require support, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
NSW Blues enforcer Liam Martin has revealed how his late brother helped transform him into one of the game’s most feared defenders.
Martin, 27, grew up in West Wyalong in the NSW Riverina region and idolized his older brother Jarred.
A former Canberra Raiders under-20 player alongside the likes of Josh Papali’i and Jack Wighton, two former ACL injuries ended Jarred’s NRL dream.
He took his own life at the age of 22 while attending the Falls Festival in 2014. Drugs were not involved in his death.
He previously showed teenage Liam the importance of tackling correctly and utilizing his low center of gravity.
“He was six years older and looked like a front rower, so I had to learn quickly to get my technique right,” the bruised backrower told the team. Sydney Morning Herald.
‘When he came back [home] from Canberra in the 1920s he showed me all these wrestling techniques.
NSW Blues enforcer Liam Martin has revealed how his late brother Jarred helped transform him into one of the game’s most feared defenders
‘I gave away about 30 kilos to him, and he did too [always] I ran away from there…’He had a defensive attitude. I try to emulate his game.”
Now a three-time NRL premiership winner with the Panthers, Martin’s brother is always on his mind.
“I never played that game together, but every time I step on that field I feel you looking over me.” Martin captioned a photo on Instagramwhere he had Jarred’s name on his wrist.
Jarred Martin (left), former Canberra Raiders under-20 player, taught Panthers star Liam (pictured right, as a teenager) how to tackle with intent
“I hope I do your proud brother.”
Martin looms as a key figure for Michael Maguire’s men ahead of game two at the MCG on Wednesday night, where NSW must win to keep the Origin series alive.
The Blues last won the Interstate Trophy in 2021 and are desperate to bounce back from the 38-10 defeat they suffered in the first game after Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off in the seventh minute for his shocking goal on Reece Walsh.
Ny Breaking Australia gave Martin the second-highest player rating of any NSW star in that match, in which he provided a rare highlight for the Blues by beating J’maine Hopgood in a vicious but textbook tackle.