Robbie Farah has named Jacob Liddle as the player most deserving of the starting hooker position at the Wests Tigers.
Ahead of his final season at the club, Farah is happy to hand the No.9 jersey over to Liddle to develop the emerging star as quickly as possible.
“I’d love to see nothing more than for Jacob to come through and force me out of first grade,” Farah told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I’ve been working really closely with him this pre-season and he is a great kid.
“He is willing to learn and he works hard. He has put on four or five kilos and I’ve been working hard with him on the wrestling mats trying to get him physically ready for a big season.
“We are really pushing each other at training and I’m trying to impart some of my knowledge on to him.
“I’ve really seen him grow, so hopefully he is in for a big season.”
The 35-year old said that new Tigers coach Michael Maguire has trusted him and fellow statesmen Benji Marshall to take on greater leadership roles and set the right example for their younger teammates to follow.
“Madge sees Benji and me as two important leaders who can pass on our knowledge to the kids coming through and hopefully leave a lasting legacy,” he said.
“Whilst we’ve got an important role to play on the field, I think Benji and I are at a point in our careers where we know we can really shape the culture of the club for sustained success long after we’ve moved on and retired.
“We both have that strong affiliation with the club and it means the world to us to finish our careers here under Madge.”
Farah gave his full support to the club's appointment of Maguire and believes the Tigers' future looks as stable as ever before.
“The boys have really responded well to Madge’s coaching style,” he said.
“He lives and breathes that (training) and he has been awesome since day one.
“I thought it was a great appointment by the club.
“I obviously worked with Madge at the Rabbitohs and he is a man that genuinely cares about the club and each individual.
“As tough as our pre-season has been, all the guys will tell you they’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Madge’s style is really rubbing off on the playing group and I’m really excited about the things he is putting in place to ensure the club can have long-term success.”