Lachlan Lewis’s journey from struggling Raider to Bulldogs' new hope

CANTERBURY five-eighth Lachlan Lewis has emerged as the Bulldogs shining light this season — all because the 21-year-old has done the hard yards to make his dreams happen.

AT the time, work ethic and extra training wasn’t an excuse that could save Lachlan Lewis.

Not when 1000 watts from the Belmore Sport Ground flood lights are pouring into the kitchens, bedrooms and front yards of the surrounding homes.

“Lachlan has got a work-ethic second to none,’’ Lewis’ father Scott, told The Sunday Telegraph.

TOUGH ENOUGH: Matchwinning goal proved Lewis’s composure

Lewis had fought like a dog to get here. (Toby Zerna)

How so?

“For example, the extras he does at training,’’ Scott continued.

“Last year he was given a huge spray by Canterbury because he was out kicking a couple of hours after everyone had gone home from training and he forgot to turn the lights off at Belmore stadium.

“All the houses around Belmore had complained to the club that the lights were still on at 2am in the morning.’’

Lachlan with sisters Maeghan and Amber, Lachlan, and parents Terri and Scott.

Lewis is the 21-year-old five-eighth and nephew of Immortal Wally Lewis, who has emerged this season as the Bulldogs shining light, in more ways than one.

His arrival — seemingly from the shadows of Bulldogs first-choice halves Kieran Foran, Moses Mbye, Matt Frawley and Nu Brown, to face St George Illawarra in his eighth first-grade game at Kogarah Oval this afternoon has come as a surprise to some.

Yet not to those who know Lewis’ story.

Lewis playing juniors for Metropolitan East under-12s in Brisbane.

His talent was identified while playing junior footy for the Capalaba Warriors — southeast of Brisbane — by the Canberra Raiders at the age of 12. The Raiders former head of recruitment Brian Edwards, selected Lewis to be part of Canberra’s development squad.

From the age of 12 to 16, Lewis would dissect his season with the Warriors and later Souths Logan with training camps organised by the Raiders.

The program developed a healthy list of NRL talent including Anthony Milford, Brenko Lee, Luke Bateman … and Lewis.

However, if it wasn’t the Raiders, Lewis would still have left Brisbane to fulfil his NRL dream.

Greater opportunity and a desire to avoid the obvious pressure from comparisons made with his famous uncle wasn’t the only reason.

“If you want the real scoop, ask me about his sister,’’ Scott said.

“Lachlan’s sister (Amber) moved to the United States when she was 16 to become a professional ballerina.

“If rugby league players think they’ve got it tough, they should look at the work ethic of a ballerina.

“She’s now 26 and is performing in Pheonix, Arizona.

“Lachlan was 15 when he watched his sister go away to chase her goals, so from that early age, he knew you had to have a work ethic.’’

Dad Scott — Wally Lewis's brother — playing reserve grade for Brisbane.

Farewelling his mates after just two days of schoolies, Lewis flew from the Gold Coast to Canberra at 17, working as a barista while playing in the Raiders lower grades.

After two seasons, Lewis feared his path was blocked to the NRL, by the Raiders established halves in Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Sam Williams and the next-in-line Lachlan Croker.

A chance dinner with Liberal MP Andrew Laming halfway through 2016 set his course for Belmore.

“Andrew said, ‘I know somebody at the Dogs, I’ll have a chat to them for you’,’’ Scott, whose Broncos career was cut short by knee injuries, said.

“Within 10 days of talking to Andrew, he was playing for Canterbury.’’

That field goal really marked Lewis’s arrival. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

From his lounge room in Capabala last weekend, Scott swore in disbelief and pride when his son booted a 34-metre field-goal — the first one-pointer of his life — to beat the Warriors.

But what Scott drew greater satisfaction from was Lewis’ comments post-match.

It said everything about his boy and the young man the Dogs have invested in until 2020.

“He said that overall, he wasn’t happy with his game and that’s the beauty of Lachlan — he will say what he thinks,’’ Scott said.

“A lot of other people would hide behind that field-goal and dine out on that.

“But in that interview after the game, he was already finding reason to improve.

“Everyone says he’s mature — well, the reason he’s mature is because he had to move out of house at 17.

Lewis is at the steps of something great. (Toby Zerna)

“He’s had to make a lot of decisions with his supportive fiancee (Stephanie) at a young age, but those life lessons are what have helped him stay calm when it matters, too.

“Lachie has taken his own path to the NRL, one where other people would want it to happen a lot sooner.

“But I’m a big believer in that the good, will always make it.

“As parents we’re quite happy that he had to struggle because I think he’ll appreciate the good times even more.’’

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Originally published as Lachlan Lewis’s journey from struggling Raider to Bulldogs' new hope