Why young Aussie rules gun Jirah Liddiard swaps GWS Giants for Penrith Panthers

Panthers young gun Jirah Liddiard is making a name for himself in the Penrith pathways. But if not for a change of heart three years ago, he could well be kicking goals for the GWS Giants.

It’s hardly a surprise to see Jirah Liddiard making a name for himself in the Penrith pathways.

The son of 90s NRL journeyman Glen and nephew of Eels premiership winner David, Jirah has rugby league pumping through his veins.

Yet, if not for a change of heart three years ago, the rising Panther could well be the face of the GWS Giants’ push into rugby league heartland

Tall and silky skilled, the 21-year-old is a consistent try scorer in a Jersey Flegg side waving the flag for Penrith near the top of the table.

“I actually played league until I was 14 for St Marys,” said Liddiard, known for backing his instincts both on and off the field.

“Then I had a growth spurt and reached six feet by the time I was 15. I switched to AFL for three years, spending a good portion of that time in the Giants Academy.

“But when I turned 18, I wasn’t really feeling it, so I returned to league.”

Jirah Liddiard in action for Penrith Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

That was for the Glenmore Park Brumbies, playing alongside Nathan Cleary’s younger brother Jett in a team coached by Penrith and Manly grand final winner Joe Galuvao.

In a whirlwind year, the proud Biripi man caught the eye of Penrith talent scouts and made his mark in 2023 scoring a freakish four-pointer in the closing rounds of the SG Ball season.

“That was the moment that pretty much cemented my spot in the team,” said Liddiard, who works as an Aboriginal Education Officer at Kingswood High and is part way through a university teaching degree.

“It’s probably one of the best tries I’ve scored, I had to jump and reach over the dead ball line to recover a kick.”

Jirah Liddiard takes off for Glenmore Park U19s in the 2023 grand final. Picture: Steve Montgomery

Despite growing up in the shadow of his older brother Tyran, a highly regarded wicketkeeper-batsman for Penrith with a NSW 2nd XI cap, cricket was never a serious option.

“I just don’t have the patience to stand in the field for four to five hours a day, so I knew it wasn’t for me,” he said.

Having viewed playing footage of Glen - now the Panthers Indigenous wellbeing officer - and David’s impressive string of tries on the wing, the young Liddiard feels fortunate to have inherited the skills of both.

“It’s a hard one, I feel like I have the skill side of dad and the speed of my uncle,” he said. “But bringing my height into it, I feel completely different with the modern emphasis on contested kicks.”

Glen Liddiard (L) and Scott Mahon (R) celebrate a Parramatta victory in 1991. Picture: Angelo Soulos

Now in his second and final season of the under-21s competition, the pacy outside back continues to evolve, exemplified by his 40m long bomb that recently sunk Canterbury.

“I’ve never kicked a field goal in a game before. It’s something that we always practice but coming from an AFL background helps, so I was pretty stoked when it went over,” he said.

Gifted in multiple positions, a relaxed Liddiard remains unsigned for next season but is optimistic things will take care of themselves if he can help the Jono Rolfe coached Panthers to the Flegg title.

“I love playing fullback, just being around the ball as a playmaker and being able to kick,” he said.

“But I reckon my best position is wing, especially with my height on attacking kicks.

“I don’t have anything in place for next year. Obviously I’m open to offers, but my main focus is playing good footy and winning the comp.”