Jock's not here to make up the numbers on Tigers return

Jock Madden felt right at home in his comeback match for Wests Tigers. 

In front of family and friends at McDonald Jones Stadium, the ground he used to call home during his time in the Knights’ pathway system, Madden masterminded a 42-26 comeback victory over the Roosters in the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge last Saturday. 

The 25-year-old halfback looked more than comfortable back in the gold-and-black colours he first wore when he made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in 2021. 

His long kicking game kept his team in the contest after trailing 16-0 early on, then as Wests Tigers enjoyed a better share of possession, his direction and experience helped them overhaul that deficit and go on to win comfortably. 

Madden threw the final pass for tries by Logan Deininger and Charlie Murray midway through the second half, he kicked five goals from six attempts for good measure, and enjoyed the final 15 minutes watching on from the sidelines. 

“It felt good, first trial and everything like that. The lungs were feeling it a little bit in that first half but it was a good first hit-out and there’s a lot to take away from it... so we’ll look to build on top of that,” Madden told media post-match.

“I guess first game (back), being a bit nervous amongst the boys, but that’s how the game was. First half, at the start, they had a lot of momentum, and I was just trying to turn that around and change that a little bit. 

“They had control of it but we turned that around at the back end of the first half, then in the second half we kind of ran away with it.” 

Hailing from Scone in the Hunter Valley, and unable to force his way into first grade at the Knights, Madden headed south to pursue his NRL goals and learn from the likes of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Luke Brooks at Wests Tigers. 

After two years at Concord, the former Australian Schoolboys captain joined Brisbane to continue his education under Kevin Walters and Michael Maguire alongside Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, Billy Walters and Ben Hunt. 

“They’ve all got their strengths and you’ve got your own game, and you try to mould around that, taking parts from their games," he said.

"They’re obviously the best halves in the game so you learn from them and try to build on that. 

“Obviously Renno’s kicking and game management, he’s a great leader, calm and real collected when he speaks, and manages the team around the park, so I definitely took those things from him, and he’s willing to teach you.” 

A torn pectoral muscle all but wiped out the bulk of the final season of his three-year term at the Broncos, so he headed back to Wests Tigers where Marshall, his one-time teammate, is now his coach. 

Marshall has indicated Adam Doueihi is likely to start the season at halfback alongside Jahrome Luai, and Latu Fainu is waiting in the wings recovering from reconstructive shoulder surgery, but Madden is backing himself to earn a place in the top squad. 

“I think my game management and my kicking game are part of the big strengths of my game, so that’s what I pride myself a lot on. I just want to continue to build on that and control what I can control, so that’s all I can focus on,” Madden said. 

“Obviously I had a few conversations there and he (Marshall) was keen to get me back. I know what type of person Benji is, and he focuses on things where he thinks I can get my game better and I feel the same within myself. 

“I knew it was a great opportunity for me to come back and play under him. He still jumps in and does a few of the drills and still carves us up, so he’s still got that about him... and I’m really happy to be back under him.” 

In his mid-20s, and with five years of NRL experience under his belt but only 32 games, Madden feels like he is about to hit the sweet spot of his career and become a regular first-grader, not just a fill-in. 

Wests Tigers complete their Pre-Season Challenge build-up against Penrith at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night then, after a first-round bye in the Telstra Premiership, open their campaign on March 14 when they welcome North Queensland to Leichhardt. 

“I don’t want to be back sitting behind (other players),” he said. 

“I want to put my best foot forward and I feel like I am an NRL player, so like I said, all I can do is control what I can control and put my best foot forward in these trials. 

“That’s what I can do and continue to work from that.”