And after the opening three rounds of the NNSW National Premier League for 2021, the two-time Golden Boot winner finds himself there again.

Bradbery's double first-up for Lambton was part of a 7-1 thrashing of Weston and he netted his third on Sunday to break a deadlock with Valentine at Arthur Edden Oval.

"It's been a good start to the season," he said.

"Three from three and it was nice to get the winner on the weekend. I didn't hit it very well, but as the old saying goes it doesn't matter how hard you hit them as long as you pick out the corners they go in."

IN THE NEWS:

Bradbery is one clear of eight players on two goals each - Campbell Ross, Kaman Bol, Nicholas Cowbourn (Lake Macquaire), Flynn Goodman, James Thomspon (Maitland), Jared Muller, Rhys Cooper and Ryan Griffiths (Olympic).

However, the Merewether 27-year-old has been relishing a change of role with the Jaffas this season.

The former Jets youth player, who joined Lambton from Broadmeadow last year, has shifted from the wing to a more central No.9 spot up front.

"I'm playing No.9 this year, which is a bit different for me because I've been playing on the wing the last five years," Bradbery said.

"Being pretty small and agile myslef, I've got to have a few players around me because if I try and hold up the ball and take too many touches I'm going to get crunched.

"But with Bobby Naumov coming in [as an assistant], he and [head coach] Jimmy [Pascoe] wanted me there on the shoulder of defenders.

"It's been good so far being back up there."

Bradbery has appeared in three grand finals with two wins next to his name - 2014 previously at Lambton and 2018 for Broadmeadow - but is still "chasing" an elusive regular-season premiership.

Following a rare play-offs miss in 2020, he feels the Jaffas are in the mix.

"I think us, Edgy [Edgeworth], Magic and [leaders] Maitland obviously are my pick," he said.

"[Broadmeadow coach Damian Zane] Zaney said a few weeks ago it's close this year and I think he's right, there's no real standouts after the first three rounds.

"Adding Piddo [Josh Piddington], Reece Pappas and Ben Hay to the squad we already have and I think we're right up there."

Pappas is expected to be available despite against Lakes at home on Saturday despite being forced off the field late on the weekend because of a hamstring issue.

Bradbery, a carpenter by trade, expects the new-look Roosters to be a "tough" assignment.

"They're going alright this year and they'll be a tough test for us,' he said.

"I watched their game against Magic and they were unlucky not to get more out of that."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: