Asked to isolate the factor behind his dramatic form improvement, Nick Liddle simply equates it to being given a go.
When former Mitcham coach Andy Collins invited him to the Coburg Tigers at the start of the 2007 season, Liddle played every game in the reserves. Admittedly, Coburg boasted a strong list, as evidenced by the fact that both the seniors and reserves played off in the Grand Final, but Liddle didnt gain a sniff of playing seniors.
Undeterred, Liddle responded with a stellar season last year that saw him play just three games in the reserves and 19 in the seniors, including the elimination final. And he has started the 09 season in the same rich vein of form.
Basically, I just think it has been about opportunity, explained Liddle. Obviously, I would have liked to play in the seniors in my first year, but I knew I had improvement in me. When Coburg Tigers coach Jade Rawlings came along, he was great for me. He made sure he would reward me for hard work. Rawlings describes Liddle as a very impressive player who he believes in.
Nick is capable of winning a spot on an AFL list, Rawlings said, noting that Liddle's awareness and crisp disposal had seen him among the club's best players in the early part of the season. Initially, he was undersized. He didnt have enough of a training base behind him, but hes been able to apply his work on the track and in the gym to his football and he's had more opportunities.
Both Liddle and Jade Rawlings attribute the upsurge this season to his summer training at Richmond in a bid to gain a spot on the Tigers rookie list. While this didnt eventuate, Liddle, 21, said the experience proved invaluable in his development.
You realise what you've got to do to make it, Liddle said. You improve immensely just by going down there. You have to
come up to their standard and the professionalism around the club. Your skill level goes up a lot, you get a little bit more confident in yourself and your fitness goes through the roof.
While his priority is to help the Coburg Tigers snare their first premiership in 20 years, Liddle has not given up hope of pushing for a spot on an AFL list. I would like to think there is a year or two left for me to give it a crack. Thats my dream. And, as Nick Liddle knows all too well, all that he needs is an opportunity.
Last Modified on 31/10/2009 06:02