Manly’s Lucky Lawton will be front and centre at Allianz Stadium eating his hot chips

He’s the kid with the coolest name in rugby league, and on Saturday night he’ll be cheering on his dad while eating his favourite footy meal – hot chips.

Karl Lawton, partner Katie and 22-month old son Lucky Lawton.

Meet Manly’s lucky charm.

This is Lucky Lawton, the 22-month old son of Sea Eagles forward, Karl, with the coolest footy name since Bradman Best.

And Lucky may prove lucky when he attends Saturday night’s elimination final against Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium alongside his mum, Katie, while eating his favourite footy meal – hot chips.

Lawton, the Manly back-rower, had two names pencilled in for his new born – Lucky or Rocky.

“The birth was a bit tricky and Katie was in labour for 30 hours. He came out with a smile on his face so he wasn’t really a Rocky because that’s like a rough kid,” Lawton said.

“He looked really happy and Lucky was just the right fit. (His name) is cool, eh?

“Lucky goes to every game – he’s my lucky charm.

Manly star Karl and his son Lucky Lawton.

“I’ve already got him passing a footy. I reckon he’ll be a lock. He’s a thickset little fella so a ball-playing lock, a bit like ‘Jakey’ Trbojevic.

“You don’t hear a peep out of him at the games, as long as he’s got his hot chips then he’s happy. He always goes: ‘chippy, chippy.’ He loves hot chips.”

Lucky, born in Northern Beaches Hospital, has already entered Manly’s peer group.

“Lucky is an absolute champion. He’s such a good kid. I take him to coffee with the boys on most days off and they absolutely love him,” Lawton said.

“You can pass him around like a parcel and he doesn’t care. He plays with everyone. His middle name is John so it’s Lucky John Lawton – it has a ring to it. John is Katie’s father’s name.”

Gold Coast-born Karl and Central Coast partner Katie met when then Warriors forward Lawton was based at Terrigal’s Star of the Sea apartments during Covid.

The pair are shortly expecting their second baby.

(L-R) Lucky and Karl Lawton.

Asked about the Roosters game, Lawton said: “I reckon we’ve got a good chance. The odds were against us against the Bulldogs last weekend in every stat but we came through and won.

“We showed a bit of resilience and grit.”

Lawton has signed a two-year deal with North Queensland and will relocate to Townsville post-season.

“We will have a busy end-of-year,” Lawton said. “There will be a move and we have another baby on the way in November so it will be a busy transition.

“Then it will be life up north and see how we go in the heat.”

Lawton, 28, has played 24 NRL games this season and been among Manly’s most consistent players.

He has now played more than 100 first grade matches.

Originally published as Manly’s Lucky Lawton will be front and centre at Allianz Stadium eating his hot chips