ADRIAN LAM says that Leigh Leopards’ recruitment – both immediately and for next season – is only just beginning.
The Leopards closed out the first day of Magic Weekend on Saturday by overcoming Warrington Wolves 24-6, their first win over their derby rivals this year after 42-6 (Super League) and 24-10 (Challenge Cup) defeats across consecutive weekends in April.
Whilst that match came too soon for their newest recruit, Melbourne Storm prop Lazarus Vaalepu, Lam is excited for what is to come for the club, both in the long and short-term.
“It’s just beginning, I’m pretty excited about what’s ahead.” said Lam, who has been in charge at Leigh since 2021.
“We’ve got a pretty clear process and identification underway with what we want, and I’m excited to see what’s to unfold, both immediately and next season.”
Lam is hopeful that Vaalepu, an NRL Grand Finalist in 2024, can have a positive impact on his squad in their pursuit of a top-six berth, similar to that of Joe Ofahengaue, who helped the club to a third-placed finish last season.
He explained: “Bringing Lazarus in is exciting for the club because I think this time last year, we brought Joe Ofahengaue in and he certainly lifted everyone, so I’m hoping that we get the same result for this.
“He’s a big body and he’s played at one of the great clubs in the NRL, in the NRL Grand Final in 2024, and we’re hoping that he’ll bring a lot of experience and a point of difference to the team.
“We’re pretty excited about him. He’s massive, a big body, and I think the key words are a point of difference for our team. There’s some size there and some explosiveness throughout that middle.
“His value to us as a point of difference is going to be massive. I feel like there’s an opportunity for a player like that to come in and fit right in, and he certainly suits the style that we play.”
The coach hopes his newest recruit can flourish with first-team game time, adding: “There’s no club better than ours to get that development.
“He’s around some great senior players in Ofahengaue, Isaac Liu and Robbie Mulhern, so I hope that his game will flourish being a part of our squad, and hopefully he comes on quicker.”
Vaalepu, who joins the club on a one-and-a-half year deal with the option of 2028, is the first signing under director of rugby Andrew Henderson, who joined the Leopards from York Knights in April.
And Lam believes the pair are on the same wavelength when it comes to the club’s recruitment, explaining: “(Henderson) has done a great job since he arrived at the club.
“He’s a very detailed person and certainly knowledgeable too in certain areas, we think a lot alike and we have a lot of things in common about the way that players play.
“That’s his first signing with Lazarus, so I’m looking forward to what’s next.”