Adrian Lam will have plenty to mull over as he turns his thoughts to next week’s clash between Leigh Leopards and Catalans Dragons.
The Leopards endured a difficult night on Thursday as they were pumped 54-0 by Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium and they picked up a number of injury issues, too.
Joe Ofahengaue limped out of the action inside the opening six or seven minutes with what appeared to be a calf injury. He was joined in the treatment room by Matt Davis, who failed a HIA after taking a hefty blow to the head.
However, the most concerning injury came in the final moments of the clash as Bailey Hodgson went down innocuously with a knee injury.
Speaking after the game, Adrian Lam voiced his fears that Hodgson had suffered an ACL injury and if that is confirmed, the full-back could be set to miss the remainder of the season.
With David Armstrong yet to return from the knee injury he picked up last season, Leigh could find themselves without both of their recognised full-backs for the next few weeks at least.
So, what are Adrian Lam’s options should Hodgson be ruled out? We take a look
Gareth O’Brien
Well, fortunately for Lam and Leigh, Gareth O’Brien is fit and available to step into the full-back spot if needs be and it looks like that is the obvious option. He’s made two appearances off the bench this season after losing his stand-off spot to Adam Cook, so he’ll be putting his hand up to play, of that there is no doubt.
At 34, O’Brien isn’t likely to be as quick off the mark in the full-back role, but the playmaker knows the role inside out having spent much of his career there, and that experience could be key for the Leopards as they bid to get back to winning ways and produce a response.
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Umyla Hanley
There’s always the chance that Lam could look at alternative options to play full-back and Hanley is certainly one of them, having started his career in the role with Wigan Warriors.
It’s not his natural position, but he has the attributes needed to play the role and Lam’s guidance, he could be trusted, too. The only catch is that Hanley hasn’t played yet this season due to the shoulder injury he picked up against Warrington Wolves in pre-season and Lam hasn’t confirmed whether he will be fit in time for Catalans.
Keanan Brand
Brand has been one of Leigh’s brightest performers over the last 12 months in the outside backs, but he’s no stranger to the the full-back role. In fact, he has made 10 appearances for the Leopards at full-back in his career, with his last coming in the Challenge Cup back in 2024.
Using Brand there would mean a reshuffle in the backs, though, and Lam will be keen not to make unnecessary changes as he looks to find consistency at this early stage of the season.
Tesi Niu
This one looks a little unlikely to be honest, but after bursting onto the scene with Brisbane Broncos and Tonga as a full-back he has to be considered an option. The 24-year-old has always been thickset but he’s certainly filled out a little more since those days and he looks more of a natural centre now. It would be a real surprise if Lam made that change.
Adam Cook
Cook has played the role before with Canberra Raiders in the NRL and in the both the New South Wales and Queensland Cups. However, Lam will be keen to build up that half-back combination between him and Lachlan Lam and therefore, it has to be said that while it is an option, it seems highly unlikely that Cook will be moving back to take on the number one role.
