Liam Martin has never been one to shy away from physical contests, and ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster semi-final, the Penrith forward has made his intentions clear. The Panthers enforcer has openly admitted he is tempted to go after former teammate and close friend Viliame Kikau, a player he knows all too well from their premiership-winning days together.
Kikau, now a cornerstone of the Canterbury Bulldogs pack, has been playing through significant pain in recent weeks. He has carried a facial injury that ballooned around his eye after a heavy collision in last week’s defeat. Remarkably, he has refused to undergo an X-ray, fuelling speculation that he may be carrying a fracture. Despite the obvious risk, Kikau continues to front up each week, determined to lead from the front for his club.
Respect Between Mates
For Martin, the toughness shown by Kikau comes as no surprise. Having shared the grind of NRL campaigns and the glory of back-to-back premierships with him at Penrith, Martin has seen first-hand the resilience of his Fijian mate.
“He is just so tough,” Martin said on Tuesday. “His toughness is probably underrated. It doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
Their friendship is genuine and deep, forged during Kikau’s time at the Panthers when the pair stood side by side in two grand final triumphs. But as Martin made clear, personal ties will be pushed aside the moment the whistle blows on Sunday. The semi-final is about pride, momentum, and the right to push closer to yet another grand final.
“I’ll try to,” Martin admitted when asked if he would specifically target Kikau. “But I don’t know, he’ll still give it his all. His toughness can’t be underestimated. I’ll still go out there after him… I always look forward to the battles with Kiks because he is such a quality player and he is one of the best back-rowers ever.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fire up 🔥😤 <a href="https://t.co/XInW53mS6Q">pic.twitter.com/XInW53mS6Q</a></p>— Penrith Panthers 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@PenrithPanthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/PenrithPanthers/status/1968149883254346093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Kikau’s Presence and Influence
For the Bulldogs, Kikau represents far more than just a strike weapon in the second row. His power, offloading ability, and defensive strength make him a player who shapes matches. Even with his injury concerns, he continues to inspire teammates by refusing to let physical setbacks diminish his output.
The decision to play without confirming the full extent of the damage demonstrates the sort of uncompromising mindset that coaches admire and opponents fear. Martin’s respect for Kikau is grounded in those very qualities, but come game day, admiration will quickly give way to aggression.
For the Panthers, shutting down Kikau is a tactical necessity. His combination of size and agility can break defensive lines and turn momentum in an instant. Martin’s willingness to throw himself into that task speaks volumes about his competitive spirit and his understanding of what’s at stake.
Friendship on Hold
The storyline of former teammates colliding adds an emotional subplot to Sunday’s clash. Martin and Kikau are not just colleagues who once shared a jersey; they are close friends whose careers were intertwined during Penrith’s golden era. The battles they fought together have now become the battles they fight against each other.
Such rivalries elevate the drama of finals football. Fans will watch with anticipation to see how Martin approaches the duel, whether he can contain Kikau, and how their friendship momentarily transforms into fierce competition.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The next challenge awaits 💪🏽<br><br>See you Sunday, Panthers fans!<br><br>Tickets: <a href="https://t.co/uPP9x6hDHQ">https://t.co/uPP9x6hDHQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gi9O91JdOP">pic.twitter.com/Gi9O91JdOP</a></p>— Penrith Panthers 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@PenrithPanthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/PenrithPanthers/status/1967740215054712878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sympathy for Crichton
While much of the focus has been on Kikau, Martin has also shown a compassionate side in speaking about another ex-Panthers teammate, Stephen Crichton. The Bulldogs star is facing his own struggles after sustaining a syndesmosis injury.
“You don’t wish injury on anyone, especially someone that we played with,” Martin said, acknowledging the difficulty Crichton faces in recovering at such a crucial stage of the season.
Crichton, like Kikau, was a key figure in Penrith’s premiership success before departing to chase new opportunities. For Martin, watching two close mates deal with adversity is bittersweet. He knows firsthand the relentless physical toll the game demands, and he takes no pleasure in seeing former teammates sidelined.
Panthers’ Grand Final Ambitions
The Panthers, meanwhile, are once again in the thick of the finals race, preparing for yet another tilt at glory. Martin’s personal duel with Kikau is only one piece of a bigger puzzle. Penrith’s pursuit of a fourth straight grand final appearance relies on their ability to remain composed, disciplined, and ruthless in execution.
Martin’s mindset typifies that of his team: respect the opponent, but never shy away from confrontation. The willingness to “go after” a close friend epitomizes the uncompromising attitude that has made the Panthers such a dominant force in recent seasons.
The match-up with the Bulldogs promises to be one of the most physical encounters of the finals series. With Kikau powering through pain and Martin relishing the chance to test himself against one of the game’s most destructive forwards, fans are set for a contest brimming with intensity.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Has the Panthers gamble of resting their players instead of going for a top 4 spot already proved to be a master stroke?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NRL360?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NRL360</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NRL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NRL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Penrith?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Penrith</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Finals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Finals</a> <a href="https://t.co/X3NuoFwcxk">pic.twitter.com/X3NuoFwcxk</a></p>— Kayo Sports (@kayosports) <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports/status/1968279021529031003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Legacy of a Rivalry
For Martin and Kikau, Sunday will be another chapter in a story that began as teammates and has now evolved into rivals. The mutual respect is undeniable, but so is the competitive fire that drives both men. Their clash will not only influence the result but also highlight what makes finals football so compelling: mateship set aside, pain ignored, and everything sacrificed in pursuit of victory.
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