Explosive versatile player, Clent Lama, has played 15 games for the SP PNG Hunters in the 2024 Queensland Hostplus Cup season, scoring six tries. The rising talent showed glimpses of what he could do on the pitch last season, but injury has derailed his booming career.
After almost a month of nursing his injury and going through the rehabilitation process on the sideline, the Southern Highlander has hit the straps running in the preseason training, showing signs of recovery and ready to take the field again this season.
However, Lama isn’t guaranteed a spot, with thirty-plus players fighting to secure their place in the top-30 squad. He needs to prove to coach Paul Aiton that he has the upper hand over other players and deserves a spot in the final squad.
Lama mentioned that the preseason training had been great but intense, especially coming back from injury and trying to find his feet again, and building combinations with his teammates.
“The preseason was good. It’s a bit tough; preseason is always tough. I try to give everything and work on my skills, mostly my defense and attack,” he stated.
“The new boys are good. They open up and talk about how they feel. It’s good to rub shoulders with them and learn from each other. We are supporting each other and working really hard.
“I’ve recovered fully and ready to go. I had an ankle injury, so I stayed on the sideline for almost five weeks, doing rehabilitation and trying to get back to the field.”
Lama has played multiple positions in his career, particularly in the center and back-row, proving handy in those two positions. He revealed that whatever position coach Aiton slots him in to fill, he would be more than willing to do the job.
Meanwhile, the PNG Hunters will have an in-house trial match against the Central Dabaris and Hela Wigmen next Friday (February 7th), as they prepare for the 2025 Queensland Cup season to kick off in March.
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