The last time Brock Lamb featured in a grand final was for Maitland under 18s.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Since then Lamb has represented Australian Schoolboys, featured in 33 NRL games and enjoyed a short English Super League stint.
Now, aged 23, the former Knights playmaker finds himself back at the Pickers and headed for another decider but with a NSW Rugby League title in sight.
Maitland meet Glebe Burwood at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday (3:30pm).
Albeit, the event is a completely different one than first expected in 2020 with the Pickers joining the statewide President's Cup midway during a coronavirus-affected year after Newcastle Rugby League opted to make their competitions amateur.
"It's pretty exciting. I didn't think we'd play footy at all this year and now we're playing in a state grand final," Lamb said.
"It [President's Cup] has been good and something different. We wanted to go down there [Sydney], turn some heads and show we weren't just a team from Maitland. I think we've done that and now we've got one more job to do."
Lamb's work in the No.7 jersey has been classy, particularly his kicking game with an ability to lay-on tries from grubbers or chips, bomb from afar, secure field position, convert goals and even land the odd 40-20.
"He [Lamb] is critical for what we do," Pickers coach Matt Lantry said.
"Just from an experience perspective and he knows the impact he has on the team. He's responded well to that and thrived all year."
Lantry remains unsure who will partner Lamb in the halves with injured five-eighth Chad O'Donnell (ankle) needing to pass a fitness test at Maitland's captain's run on Saturday.
"We want to give him [O'Donnell] every opportunity to play but he needs to get through training tomorrow," Lantry said.
Lantry's back-up plan is moving fullback Daniel Langbridge into the halves, sliding winger Matt Soper-Lawler across to No.1, Elijah Rasiga gets promoted from the bench and Jarred Anderson becomes a reserve.
Glebe Burwood, featuring former Lakes pair Jacob Gagai and Honeti Tuha, are the only side to beat Maitland this campaign. The Wolves won the last-round encounter 26-24 at Henson Park a fortnight ago.
Kick-off is 3:30pm.
MAITLAND: Daniel Langbridge, James Bradley, Henry Penn, Gary Anderson, Matt Soper-Lawler, Chad O'Donnell, Brock Lamb, James Taylor, Alex Langbridge (c), Jayden Butterfield, Cooper Jenkins, Jacob McCudden, Callan Burgess, Elijah Rasiga, Faitotoa Faitotoa, Marvin Filipo, Sam Anderson, Jarred Anderson, Peter Wilson.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN THE NEWS:
- $7.25 million sale at 38 John Parade, Merewether sets new record for Newcastle
- Car slams into unit complex at Glendale, residents escape injury
- Mark Latham questions in Upper House why Black Lives Matter, gender equality and Adam Goodes film was shown at Maitland High School
- Car plunges off cliff face at Bar Beach in Newcastle
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
