Revenge is a dish best served in game 150 for lethal Liam

Liam Martin’s 150th milestone game gave the Penrith back-rower some sweet revenge on a personal note. 

He scored the Panthers' opening try in the fourth minute on Good Friday to start the points cavalcade that resulted in a 50-10 win over the Storm. 

That was Martin’s 31st NRL try but it was more satisfying that it was against Storm than simply being in his 150th game. 

“It’s pretty awesome but it’s funny because I made my debut almost seven years against Storm,” he told NRL.com remembering the pain of that 32-2 loss to Melbourne in Round 3, 2019. 

“I much prefer the result this time, that’s for sure.” 

Martin should probably be closer to 200 considering the shoulder, hamstring and wrist injuries he’s suffered. He’s had a delayed start to 2026 due to a calf tear. 

“It definitely does feel like 150 and I feel like I’ve jam-packed a lot into it. I’d like to go another 150 more so we’ll just see," he said.

He’s already played 15 Origins for NSW, seven Tests with the Kangaroos, played in five grand finals - two against Storm - won four premierships, a Clive Churchill Medal, and a Dally M Second-Rower of the Year award.   

But despite a pretty good pedigree, Martin is aware there’s always competition for a backrow spot especially in the NSW Blues squad with Origin just around the corner. 

As well as his fellow NSW incumbents Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Hudson Young, Martin has Cam Murray back from injury, former Blues forward Keaon Koloamatangi in good form, and over the next two weeks he faces challengers like Jacob Preston (Bulldogs) and Dylan Lucas (Knights). 

“I haven’t thought too much about Origin as I’m still trying to find my feet in the Penrith side and looking to improve my own form,” Martin said. 

“I’d absolutely love to represent my state again, given the opportunity, but I’ll focus on what I can do now.” 

Martin was forced to sit out the opening two rounds as he nursed his calf, when Penrith handled Brisbane and Cronulla comfortably. 

“I was watching from the sidelines the first two weeks and it was incredible to see how the boys went about their business,” he said. 

“I was like, ‘Geez am I going to disrupt things by coming back into the group' but I found my feet.” 

Since his return the Panthers have kept on winning with the Roosters, Eels and now Storm added to the list. The Bulldogs are next on Thursday night at Accor Stadium. 

“Everyone in our side seems in top form but we can’t be happy with that,” Martin says ominously. “We always think of how to get better week to week.” 

Penrith is playing like they’ve never won a premiership, let alone collecting four of the last five. It begs the question of what motivates this playing squad in 2026. 

“It’s because that feeling (winning premierships) is so addictive... last year was so disappointing missing out... getting so close and then so far away,” Martin said of the preliminary final loss to Brisbane. 

“That has really driven everybody. We had a good off-season, got away, had time to reflect, and it’s just lit a fire in everyone.” 

Evidence of that is the fact the nine tries scored against Storm were by eight different players. 

“We have a good connection between each other, but we are also scoring tries in so many different ways,” Martin said. 

“We hope to keep it up – keep the momentum going.”