“I’m not sure if that’s exactly right” – Adrian Lam reacts to Derek Beaumont’s contract claims

A whirlwind couple of days at the Leigh Sports Village saw Derek Beaumont tell fans that the club had put a three-year contract to Adrian Lam, something that the Papua New Guinean has now queried.

Adrian Lam hasn’t gone as far as to say that Beaumont’s claim was wrong, but when asked about the Leopards’ owner’s claim that a three-year deal had been put forward, Lam’s reaction was one of surprise.

“I’m not sure if that’s exactly right,” he said in his post-match presser available on LeopardsTV.

“I’ve been talking to the club and we’re certainly down the track, but I didn’t know he’d given out the details.”

Adrian Lam clarifies Beaumont’s comments

The comments from Derek Beaumont had come as part of the Leigh owner’s address to fans in the Hospitality Suite prior to the club’s epic 28-28 draw against Castleford Tigers.

In a speech that saw him label Hull FC as “desperate” in regards to their handling of the John Asiata transfer, the Leigh owner also claimed that fans should “trust the process” as he affirmed that an offer had been made to Adrian Lam.

Beaumont said: “Trust the process, trust in me, trust in Lammy, Chezzy (Chris Chester) & Jukesy (Neil Jukes). Lammy (Adrian Lam) has had a deal put to him, it’s a three-year deal and we’d like to keep him.”

Despite his surprise at Beaumont revealing details of the deal, Adrian Lam was quick to clarify that he retains a strong relationship with Beaumont and that a resolution to his contract situation, which will expire at the end of the year, is resolved.

He said: “I have a really good working relationship with Derek. Whatever the situation is, we’ll talk our way through it, and from there, I’m sure we’ll get on top of it.”

He did clarify that the process could take time though, adding: “It’s going to take time. My focus at the moment is on trying to win games and it’s been hard work, but it’s making me better as a coach.

“I don’t really want to get into talking about my future when I need to make sure this club’s future is in good hands or is in a good position and a good state in regards to the results.”

Lam jokes about rumour mill

The tone of the presser was somewhat flat with Leigh having sacrificed a lead to be taken to golden point, during which they saw Matt Moylan hit the uprights.

It looked a prime game for the Leopards to kick on and start to close the gap on the top eight but instead, they had to split the spoils with a deserving and gritty Castleford side.

Lam explained: “We needed a win today and that’s why I think I’m a little bit empty because I think we did enough to win. It just feels like we’ve got a monkey on our back at the moment as a club.”

He was in good enough spirit to joke about the current coaching rumour mill after Andrew Voss had made the prediction last week that Lam would be heading back to the NRL and to South Sydney.

Instead, Adrian Lam insisted his focus remains with Leigh, noting: “Last week I was meant to be going to the Rabbitohs, and this week it’s Hull.

“What I can tell you is that I’m contracted here and it runs out at the end of the year. I’ve got a job to do and we need to react and start winning pretty soon.”

Leigh will get that opportunity next week when they host Salford Red Devils at home in Round 11.