Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam touted to take over at South Sydney Rabbitohs

Following the news today that South Sydney Rabbitohs have sacked head coach Jason Demitriou, Leigh Leopards’ Adrian Lam has been suggested as a name that could take the job.

The Souths have had a horror start to the season, currently standing rock-bottom of the NRL table, with just four point (two of which they earned through their bye week) and -136 points difference.

Last year, Sam Burgess left the club after falling out with Demitriou, and since rumours that he might be sacked started last month, Burgess has been a name linked with the job.

However, legendary commentator Andrew Voss has now suggested Adrian Lam’s name on his SEN Breakfast radio show.

He said: “I’m crystal-balling a little bit here and trying to put the pieces together.

“With Lewis Dodd of St Helens coming to Australia, and Mark Ellison, South Sydney’s football manager, flying over to England, it makes me think: ‘you’re not flying over for one signature’.

“I can’t help but think that Adrian Lam is in the mix to come back to Australia and if I’m joining the dots, those dots lead straight to South Sydney.

“If you’re going over to England, then you’re not just coming home with a player whose signature you’ve already got a verbal agreement anyway.”

“That doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t think that’s the logical outcome.

“I think it’s for a new coach and I’ll take a punt. If I’m walking to a casino and I’m playing the chocolate wheel then I’m saying I’ll have $10 on Adrian Lam please.”

This is of course, just speculation from ‘Vossy’, but what he says makes sense.

It’s a long way to fly from Australia to England, and with so much negotiation happening online nowadays, it wasn’t totally necessary.

Adrian Lam and his Leigh Leopards’ credentials

Voss continued: “He’s had a few clubs in England but he’s had success. At Wigan, he had great success, but what he did with the Leigh Leopards was the statement of ‘I’m ready for an Australian gig’, in my opinion

“He didn’t just join one of the powerhouse clubs. He joined a club on the way up, but to achieve what he has at Leigh Leopards means that I think Adrian Lam now has runs on the board.

“He’s been assistant to Mel Meninga with the Australian side, so he hasn’t disconnected from the Australian game at all. He’s been head coach of Papua New Guinea and I just think the apprenticeship served.

“I’m not undermining Super League by saying that that’s an apprenticeship but you know what I mean. I think runs are on the board and I think the timing is now.”

Lam has done a very good job with the Leopards, and although this year hasn’t got off to a perfect start, the signs are that they’re again heading in the right direction.

After growing up in Australia, it’s likely that a move back home is something he’s always planned on doing eventually.