BEN’S LEIGH GLEE
McNamara: I can’t wait for catch-up with old pal Lach
BEN McNAMARA can not wait to link up again with Leigh star Lachlan Lam, after last knocking around together at schoolmates in Sydney.
Stand-off McNamara hails from Hull but ended up in Australia after dad Steve became Sydney Roosters assistant coach in 2014.
It was there where he first met current Leigh boss Adrian Lam (below, circled right with a young McNamara circled left) and Dream Team half-back Lachlan, who went on to star for the Roosters before heading to the UK.
Yorkshireman McNamara, who has joined the Challenge Cup holders from Hull FC for 2024, said: “I used to play with Bailey, Adrian’s younger son.
“He still lives in Australia. We are really good mates but I also went to the same school as Lachie – Marcellin College – so I did know him well. We used to go down to Coogee Oval and all play touch footy together when we were younger.
“I’ve got quite a long relationship with all the Lams so it’s interesting and different to re-catch up with them five years down the road and working with each other.”
Working professionally ex-Wigan scrum-half Lam was one of the big pulls for the promising player who struggled for a regular spot at
Hull.
McNamara, who came home from Australia in time for his with
BACK WITH HIS MATES
GCSEs, said: “Leigh is such a great side, such an attacking side, and I wanted to come and be coached by Adrian because I really think he can bring the best out of me.
“I have to check myself sometimes because you start to put a bit of pressure on yourself when you’ve not nailed down a starting spot.
“But I have only just turned 22. I’m hitting that point in my career where I feel ready to take on a role when I have the same job week in week out to do for a team and I can do it well.”
However, with ex-Kangaroos stand-off Matt Moylan signed to partner Lam Jr (left) in the halves, he has switched positions at Leopards, who took Super League by storm after promotion last year.
Lam Snr has instead made McNamara a back-up hooker to Dream Team No.9 Edwin Ipape for the new season, which kicks off next month. He said: “There’s always a bit of a reluctance from half-backs to transition to nine as it’s probably not as glamorous a position but it’s definitely one I’m happy to do.
“We’ve got Edwin who’s going to start. But this team is moving towards a two-hooker system: the one that’s explosive, which Edwin is, and the one that’s a foil for that.
“I’m looking forward to that and doing something a little different. I’m excited for the year ahead.”