Terry Lamb

Terence John Lamb (born 15 September 1961), also nicknamed "Baa", is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach.

Lamb was a non-playing reserve for the Canterbury Third Grade side in 1979 and was hopeful of a contract with his junior side in 1980.

He played 350 games, with the Western Suburbs (1980–1983) and Canterbury (1984–1996).

Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries.

This earned him the moniker of "The Back-up Man".

He also kicked 386 goals and 44 field goals, for 1,442 points in first grade.

He played for New South Wales in State of Origin and Australia.

Lamb is the only player to appear in every match of a Kangaroo Tour.

Lamb grew up in Chester Hill, a suburb in the Bankstown area and attended Sefton High School.

He only played in one Grand Final when he filled in for a side above his age group.

Lamb is the only International to come from the Chester Hill Hornets club and the ground is now named the Terry Lamb Complex in his honour.

He represented Canterbury in junior representative sides, but signed his first professional contract with Western Suburbs Magpies.

On 18 May 1980, Lamb made his first grade premiership debut for Western Suburbs against Balmain Tigers at Lidcombe Oval.

Lamb scored two tries in the Magpies' comprehensive 26-4 victory.

He scored 9 tries in his debut season and was edged out for the inaugural Dally M Rookie of the Year award by teammate Jim Leis who would go on the Australian 1980 Tour of New Zealand.

Lamb's form in the early stages of the 1981 season was outstanding and he was selected in the NSW State of Origin side.

Lamb was called in at the last moment for a very ill Mick Pattison and only arrived in Brisbane on the day of the match (when Pattison took ill, NSW coach Ted Glossop initially wanted to move Steve Rogers from the centres to five-eighth and play whoever the league gave him as a replacement back from the bench but was overruled by the NSWRL. Lamb met his halves partner, young Parramatta halfback Peter Sterling, for the first time only two hours before kickoff. He made his Origin debut at Lang Park playing opposite another young player on the rise, Queensland captain Wally Lewis who had made his test debut against France only a few weeks earlier. NSW led 15–5 at half time mostly due to the Parramatta connection of Sterling, Ray Price, Michael Cronin and Eric Grothe who picked up a loose Greg Conescu pass to race 90 metres to score in the first half.

But the Maroons, led by Lewis and man of the match Chris Close, came back strong in the second half to win 22–15.

The 1982 season was a successful one for Wests and Lamb where Lamb's end of season form caught the eyes of the Australian selectors and he was selected for the 1982 Kangaroo tour.

He ruled himself out of the tour as he already planned to marry his partner Kim.

The Kangaroos swept all before them on the tour going through undefeated for the first time and becoming known as "The Invincibles".

Lamb's final season with Wests was in 1983 where the Magpies won the wooden spoon prize.

In spite of this, he was awarded the Dally M Player of the Year Award.

Lamb made 88 appearances for Wests, Lamb was later named as halfback in the Western Suburbs Magpies Team of the Eighties.

The news that Lamb's Dally M winnings was more than his contract ensured that he would be in hot demand from the richer Sydney clubs now that he was out of contract and that Wests were at first expelled from the premiership.

Easts and Balmain both showed interest but eventually Lamb chose the Bulldogs, joining in 1984.

Lamb settled nicely into Canterbury under the coaching of Warren Ryan and playing outside Steve Mortimer.

Lamb's arrival did cause initial controversy when long-serving five-eighth Garry Hughes was dropped to reserve grade in what was to be his final season.

Lamb's ability to back up the ball-carrier came to the fore as he was the Sydney Premiership's joint leading tryscorer with 17.

Lamb won a recall to the New South Wales State of Origin side for the 2nd match.

He played well enough to be retained for the 3rd match despite the Blues losing, but withdrew due to injury.

Lamb never won a junior premiership and he was closing in on one at senior level when the Bulldogs made the 1984 Grand Final against arch-rivals Parramatta Eels who were looking to win their fourth successive title.

Canterbury took out the Grand Final 6–4 in a bruising game of football.

Lamb was replaced with five minutes remaining due to a nasty gash above his eye.

In 1985, Lamb played 22 games for the Bulldogs, but was forced to miss the 1985 Grand Final due to a groin injury.

Michael Hagan was named as his replacement.

Canterbury defeated St. George Dragons 7–6 to make it back-to-back titles.

1986 was an eventful year for Lamb.

He played much of the opening rounds at halfback with captain Steve Mortimer suspended, and was recalled to the New South Wales State of Origin side.

He was selected in all three matches from the bench and went on to be selected in the Australian Test side for the opening match against New Zealand.