Leigh Leopards Eye Grand Final Spot Despite Roster Shake-Up, Says Lachlan Lam
Leigh Leopards halfback Lachlan Lam has expressed confidence that his team can reach their first-ever Super League grand final this season, despite a significant turnover in players during the off-season. The Leopards struggled early in the 2023 campaign, even dropping to ninth place at one point, but staged a remarkable turnaround to secure a top-six finish and reach the playoff semi-finals. This year, however, they face a fresh challenge as key figures such as John Asiata, Matt Moylan, Tom Amone, and Zak Hardaker have departed, with new signings like David Armstrong, Tesi Niu, Isaac Liu, and Alec Tuitavake joining the squad.
Lam remains optimistic about Leigh’s prospects, pointing to their steady improvement since being promoted back to the Super League in 2023. The team has made consecutive playoff appearances, and Lam believes they are capable of taking another step forward in 2024. “Each year, we’ve managed to improve and finish one stage higher than the last,” Lam told the Super League website. “This year, our goal is to reach the grand final. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
The PNG international acknowledged that achieving this ambition will require addressing their slow starts to previous seasons. “Last year was a good season overall, but we didn’t get off to the best start, and that’s something we need to fix,” he said. Lam highlighted the importance of performing better in the opening stages of the season, noting that the team has struggled in the first quarter of recent campaigns. He added that as the weather improves and the pace of the game quickens later in the season, Leigh’s style of play could give them an advantage.
Leigh will face stiff competition from some of the league’s most formidable teams, including defending champions Wigan Warriors, who are chasing an unprecedented third consecutive grand final victory. Hull Kingston Rovers, who narrowly missed out on the title last year, will also be strong contenders, alongside traditional powerhouses like Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, and St Helens. Despite the challenges, Lam emphasized the importance of securing a top-six finish. “I think the top six will look similar to last year,” he said. “But we need to make sure we’re in there.”
Leigh’s season begins on February 13 with a tough opening fixture against local rivals Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium. They will then host Huddersfield Giants and Catalans Dragons in rounds two and three as they aim to build momentum early in the campaign. With a mix of new recruits and returning stars, including a fully fit Edwin Ipape, the Leopards will be hoping to defy the odds and establish themselves as serious title contenders in what promises to be another fiercely competitive Super League season.
– Reported by Love Rugby League
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