NSW Blues’ Liam Martin credits late brother Jarred with teaching him how to tackle

The Martin family have openly spoken about Jarred, who took his own life aged just 22 while attending the Falls Festival. Drugs were not involved.

Liam said he was about 14 when Jarred, then playing with the Canberra Raiders’ under-20s team which included Josh Papalii and Jack Wighton, returned home to Temora and introduced him to a variety of tackling and wrestling techniques.

“I was pretty small growing up,” Martin said. “I was a small hooker. I had a big older brother who was six years older, who was like a front-rower, so I had to learn quickly to get my technique right.

“When he came back from Canberra in the 20s, he showed me wrestling techniques. I gave away about 30kg to him, and he was there rissolling me, getting me with the ‘double unders’ [move].

“He had that defensive mindset. I try to emulate his game.”

Martin said he still thinks about his brother and wants to make him proud, especially when it comes to big games like Origin.

“You reflect and try to find that something extra,” Martin said.

Several current and former players did their best to try and explain what made Martin so lethal on the other side of the ball.

Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister, who was nicknamed ‘The Axe’ – but is now referred to as the “butter knife” by his children – said Martin’s footwork stood out.

“It’s all about getting your feet into good position,” Gillmeister said. “He knows how to use his body because his feet are in the right position, and his timing is impeccable.”

Penrith defensive coach Peter Wallace said Martin was much better at knowing when to race out of the line, and when to dip late into tackles.

Former Panther Nigel Plum, one of the hardest hitters in the game and who now teaches tackling technique to kids around the Riverina in country NSW, loved how Martin was always evenly weighted, and never too far forward nor back at the point of contact.

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Panthers co-captain and NSW teammate Isaah Yeo was another who praised Martin for his timing. “I feel like contact-wise, and in his ability to pull off a shot, Marto is right up there.

“His timing, his ability to launch, you see players sometimes launch and get it wrong, but I can’t remember Marto catching anyone high.

“In game one, you saw his ability to try and change the game with his defence.

“He reads the game well and picks his moments well. He had a strong defensive game against Wigan [in the World Club Challenge], and made some big shots that night.”

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