Queensland’s arch-nemesis Liam Martin is more of a choirboy than a eater, at least in the eyes of the NRL.
Martin, who has long been hated by Maroons fans and players because of his ailment, will enter Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night as Queensland’s public enemy number one.
But a closer look at his NRL record shows the NSW second-row forward is more of an angel than a villain in the State of Origin arena.
For all the talk about his foul play, Martin’s charge for late contact with Daly Cherry Evans in Origin II was his first since the NRL’s judicial reforms in early 2022.
The penalty box in that game was also his first for Penrith or NSW during that time, with Martin never being suspended since the Panthers’ dominance began in 2020.
“It’s a fine line and I feel like I’ve walked it really well,” Martin told AAP.
“I try to play aggressively and hard, but I don’t try to hurt people or anything like that.
“I always play physically and hard, but I feel like I’m mentally ready to not overdo it.”
Before the deciding game on Wednesday evening, Martin’s numbers contradict those of almost all other strikers.
Of all the front and back row players on both sides since 2022, only Jake Trbojevic – considered the nicest man in rugby league – and Kurt Capewell have fewer responsibilities than Martin.
His criminal record from that era also pales in comparison to players like Maroons second-row Felise Kaufusi (six charges) and his Queensland teammates Lindsay Collins and Jeremiah Nanai (five each).
Spencer Leniu is the Blues’ highest repeat offender with five offenses during this time.
“They (Queenslanders) would think I had a record,” Martin said. “But I think I’m a little bit proud of it.”
“When you play, you want to give your best for the team and if you sit on the bench for long periods of time, that’s not the best thing for the team.”
Martin has long been one of Penrith’s calmest minds on the field. He became a rookie five years ago and is now a key figure in the team’s championship campaign.
He has again been one of the Blues’ best players this series and is likely to spend 80 minutes on the right wing on Wednesday, with Mitch Barnett coming on the bench for Haumole Olakau’atu.
“There are certainly phases in his game where he is really controlled, but he is also able to pick his moment really well,” said Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo.
“He manages to come back down after a big moment. You see him standing there, he’s very excited. There’s a lot going on.”
“But he manages to get back to the same level. You have to be able to do that because if you go too far you’ll give away penalties or get too tired.”
“He’s doing well on this path.”
NRL COURT CHARGES FOR ORIGIN FORWARDS SINCE 2022:
NSW:
Jake Trbojevic: 0
Reece Robson: 1
Payne Haas: 2
Angus Crichton: 1
Liam Martin: 1
Cameron Murray: 1
Mitch Barnett: 3
Spencer Leniu: 5
QUEENSLAND:
Reuben Cotter: 1
Ben Hunt: 0
Lindsay Collins: 5
Kurt Capewell: 0
Jeremiah Nanai: 5
Patrick Carrigan: 2
Harry Grant: 2
Moeaki Fotuaika: 3
Felise Kaufusi: 6