Josh Spasaro
Lachlan Lam left fans mesmerised with his all-round skills in North Sydney’s 28-18 win over Western Suburbs in Round Four of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night, but it was no surprise to his teammates.
The 24-year-old was instrumental in his team’s victory with his brilliant short and long passing, kicking game, footwork and speed.
One of the highlights of the night came when he broke a six-all deadlock in the 36th minute.
Forty metres out from the Magpies’ line, he busted through with a step off his right foot, angled towards the posts, then beat Wests fullback Starford Toa with another rapid right-foot step.
It left Bears fans in raptures, but not so much Lam’s teammates in the Sydney Roosters system – they see it every week.
“He does that at training all the time,” Bears and Roosters winger Joseph Suaalii told nswrl.com.au.
“To see him do it in a game is nothing different.
“For the fans out there it’s pretty cool to see, but we see it all the time at training.”
Lam – who qualifies to play for Queensland because he is the son of former Maroons and Roosters star Adrian – has 31 games of NRL experience under his belt.
There’s no doubt that Roosters coach Trent Robinson has a high opinion of him – he’s been a part of the Bondi club’s 18-man match day squad the past two weeks.
Often used as a utility because Robinson has wanted him on the field influencing a game in some way, Lam is staying patient in his desire to play more first grade this year.
“It’s pretty easy (preparing to play first grade and not being utilised),” Lam said.
“It’s the game I grew up playing and enjoying as a kid. Wherever I am, footy is footy.
With such depth and competition for places at the Roosters, Lam said that collective desire to play in the NRL has made him a better player.
He said every forward at the Roosters was pushing him to be better every day at training, and that showed on Sunday night – every one of them in a Bears jersey made over 100m.
“That’s the way we’ve always been at the Roosters, having those boys around you, especially Terrell (May) who did our pre-season,” Lam said.
“Renouf (Atoni) has played a bunch of first grade and the sky is the limit for Tuks (Tuku Hau Tapuha).
“I think our forward pack is the difference in our team at the moment. We’ve got a forward pack of NRL players who could be playing at that level anywhere else.
“They’re at the Roosters, so it’s tough for them. They’re genuine first-grade players and I’m excited to be playing behind them.”
Lam also credited his forward pack for laying a platform for him to score a highlights-reel try and produce a quality showing against the Magpies.
“The boys running hard before me making quick play-the-balls gives me that freedom to run, and just take those opportunities,” he said.
