Lam urged to switch NRL clubs

UNLUCKY Sydney Roosters ace Lachlan Lam, pictured, should move on and become a “marquee No.7” at another National Rugby League (NRL) club, says legendary halfback Andrew Johns.
The 22-year-old Papua New Guinea international debuted last season but has managed just 10 games so far for the back-to-back NRL premiers. He is off-contract after this season, having played only three matches this year.
Kyle Flanagan was recruited to fill the halfback role vacated by Cooper Cronk and when Lam got a chance to snatch the jersey this season, when Flanagan was dropped, he suffered a serious ankle injury.
Flanagan now looks to have cemented the No.7 jersey.
Triple premiership-winner Luke Keary is immovable at No.6, while there’s obstacles even in Lam’s non-preferred position of hooker.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson suggested last month that Lam, the son of club great Adrian Lam, was close to re-signing and was happy to fight for a position.
Yet a deal has not been confirmed and Johns reckons he should look elsewhere.
“They’ve got high hope for (young half) Sam Walker too,” former Newcastle Knight Johns said.
“He (Lam) wants to play halfback.
“They’ve played him at dummy-half but they have Sam Verrills coming through, he’ll be their long-term dummy-half after Jake Friend.
“The games I’ve seen Lam play, I’ve been really impressed with his toughness and his defence.
“I think he needs to go somewhere (else) and be their marquee No.7.”
Roosters great Brad Fittler said Lam’s window of opportunity seemed to have slipped by, backing the call for the 22-year-old to switch clubs.
“It’s interesting how Lam had the run during the year and he got syndesmosis, he had an ankle injury, that was a bit of a hurdle for him,” he said.
“Do you feel like Flanagan’s worked too well?
“I like the fact that Flanagan and the Roosters have worked very well, they’ve lost only a few games together.” – WWOS